There are four major carbon stores on the planet. The ocean contains the bulk of the world's carbon with 38,855 GtC (Gigatonnes of carbon). The next largest store is in soil and sediment. This includes soil, fossil fuel deposits, marine sediment, permafrost and carbonate minerals such as chalk and limestone. Carbon is also stored in living things such as plants and animals. The store most debated in the news is the atmospheric store, accountable for climate change.

Figures are consolidated mid-range figures from the IPCC AR5 report.