Submission to the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee: Nature-Based Solutions for Climate Change
As part of its response to the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee’s inquiry, Applied Microbiology International (formerly SfAM) highlights the crucial but often underappreciated role of microbial processes in effective nature-based solutions for climate change mitigation.
The submission outlines the potential of soil and aquatic microbiomes for carbon sequestration, alongside innovations such as microbial fuel cells, biocementation, and aviation biofuels. AMI also addresses the challenges in measuring long-term carbon storage, the restoration of peatlands, and the need for robust life-cycle assessments. The evidence calls for systems-thinking approaches, better coordination across policy frameworks, and inclusive stakeholder engagement to ensure nature-based solutions are practical, scalable, and science-driven.