Reforestation to capture carbon could be done much more cheaply, study says
New research shows that combining natural regrowth and tree planting for reforestation can capture carbon more cost-effectively, potentially removing 31.4 billion metric tons of CO2 over 30 years.
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New research published in Nature Climate Change indicates that reforestation efforts, combining natural forest regrowth and tree planting, could be significantly more cost-effective for carbon capture than previously estimated. The study suggests that these methods could remove up to ten times more carbon at a cost of $20 per metric ton, and nearly three times more at $50 per metric ton, compared to estimates from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Researchers analyzed 138 reforestation projects in low- and middle-income countries, finding that natural regeneration is more cost-effective in 46% of suitable areas, while tree planting is preferable in 54%. By employing the most economical method for each location, it is estimated that 31.4 billion metric tons of CO2 could be removed over 30 years at under $50 per ton. However, experts caution that reforestation alone cannot address the climate crisis and must be integrated with considerations for biodiversity and ecological health. The study highlights the need for a nuanced approach to reforestation that balances cost-effectiveness with environmental impacts, as monoculture plantations may harm biodiversity despite being cheaper. Future research is encouraged to explore additional reforestation strategies and their implications for both carbon capture and ecological integrity.
- A mix of natural regrowth and tree planting can capture carbon more cost-effectively than previously thought.
- Natural regeneration is cheaper in 46% of areas, while tree planting is better in 54%.
- Up to 31.4 billion metric tons of CO2 could be removed over 30 years at a cost of less than $50 per ton.
- Reforestation alone cannot solve climate change; biodiversity and ecological factors must also be considered.
- Future research should explore diverse reforestation methods and their environmental impacts.
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