In national greenhouse gas accounting, what describes sinks?

• A. Only emissions from vehicles.
• B. Forests and soils that absorb CO2.
• C. Any monetary compensation for carbon.
• D. Only carbon sequestration projects.

Answer: (B)

Sinks in national greenhouse gas accounting are processes or systems that remove CO2 from the atmosphere. The best example is forests and soils, which absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis and store it as biomass and soil organic matter. This removal lowers atmospheric CO2 and is counted as a negative contribution in inventories.

Emissions from vehicles represent sources that add CO2 to the atmosphere, not sinks. Monetary compensation for carbon refers to financial mechanisms, not actual removal of CO2. Carbon sequestration projects are examples of sinks, but sinks also include natural, ongoing uptake by forests and soils, not just formal projects.