The term “Land Use, Land Use-Change, and Forestry” (LULUCF) encompasses various forms of land use and ecosystem management, including forestry. Agriculture, which is considered a separate sector, is not included (see also the term AFOLU).
Intact ecosystems are relevant to long-term climate protection in several ways. First, forests, wetlands, and other natural areas sequester carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and store it, thus contributing to the reduction of atmospheric CO2 concentrations. Second, intact ecosystems offer natural protection against climate impacts. For example, green spaces and water bodies absorb water during rainfall; forests and green areas provide protection against heat; and mangroves and dunes offer natural defenses against storms and rising sea levels. Third, intact ecosystems and biodiversity conservation are fundamental for preserving wildlife and plants and provide numerous ecosystem services for humans.
Natural climate protection also plays a significant role in limiting global warming and achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement in the short to medium term. A scientific study from 2017 demonstrated that preserving, restoring, and better managing ecosystems could deliver over a third of the emission reductions required by 2030 to likely limit global warming to below 2°C. Despite these potentials, the LULUCF sector currently emits more greenhouse gases globally than it sequesters, making it a net emitter of greenhouse gases.
In Germany, LULUCF actions fall under the primary responsibility of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety, and Consumer Protection as part of a policy field called natural climate protection.