A critical review of carbon emission mitigation, carbon sink expansion, and leveraging ecosystem services

Achieving climate stabilization requires integrating carbon emission mitigation, carbon sink expansion, and ecosystem service leveraging, yet information on their synergistic deployment remains fragmented. This study critically synthesizes current knowledge across these three pillars to provide a unified framework for transformative climate action. Drawing on peer-reviewed literature and international reports up to June 2024, the review analyzes sectoral emission patterns, mitigation technologies, sink capacities, and ecosystem-based interventions. Results indicate that widespread adoption of renewable energy, transport electrification, green building practices, regeneration, agriculture, and sustainable industrial processes can collectively reduce global carbon emissions by more than 50%. Natural sinks (forests, soils, wetlands, oceans) and engineered removal options, including carbon capture and storage, direct air capture, bioenergy with carbon capture and storage, and biochar offer significant scalable potential, while ecosystem-based approaches, including reforestation, wetland restoration, and payment for ecosystem services, deliver additional sequestration alongside biodiversity conservation and enhanced resilience. This study suggests that only the integrated application of all three pillars provides a practical roadmap to close the gap between current trajectories and Paris Agreement targets, requiring urgent scaling through coherent policies, technological innovation, transparent monitoring, and strengthened international cooperation.Implications: This research critically synthesizes global strategies for carbon emission mitigation, carbon sink expansion, and ecosystem service leveraging, highlighting their integrated potential to achieve net-zero emissions. By quantitatively demonstrating sectoral decarbonization pathways (e.g. >50% emission reduction through renewable energy and electrification) and clarifying the complementary roles of natural and artificial carbon sinks, the study provides a actionable framework for policymakers and stakeholders. Its findings underscore the urgency of scaling cross-sectoral policies, technological innovations, and international cooperation to align with Paris Agreement goals, while emphasizing the co-benefits of biodiversity conservation and ecosystem resilience. This work not only advances academic discourse but also offers practical insights for designing climate policies that balance ecological sustainability with socio-economic development.