Carbon sink refers to any system, natural or artificial, that absorbs more carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere than it releases, thereby reducing the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Natural carbon sinks include forests, soils, and oceans, which capture and store carbon through processes like photosynthesis, carbon sequestration in soil, and oceanic absorption. Artificial carbon sinks or industrial removals involve technologies that capture CO2 from the atmosphere and store it in underground formations or in other secure locations.
Carbon sinks play a vital role in mitigating climate change by offsetting a portion of human-induced CO2 emissions and helping to stabilize global temperatures.