Mongolia is set to host the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, bringing international attention to the country's unique steppe ecosystems and their role in global carbon sequestration.
The Mongolian steppe β one of the world's last remaining intact grassland biomes β stores an estimated 2.5 billion tonnes of carbon in its soils. Properly managed, Mongolia's grasslands could become a significant source of high-quality carbon credits on the voluntary market.