A recent study from Peking University reveals that China’s forest planting efforts could help offset up to one-third of hard-to-abate emissions by 2060, playing a vital role in the country’s carbon neutral strategy. Led by Professor Piao Shilong from the Institute of Carbon Neutrality, the research emphasizes the importance of land-use changes, such as forestation, in achieving carbon neutrality. 

The study, published in Nature Communications, highlights how China’s forests have become a significant carbon sink. From 1994 to 2018, the country’s forestation efforts absorbed substantial amounts of carbon, contributing to its national greenhouse gas reduction goals under the Paris Agreement. This is a key element in China’s broader environmental strategy to balance carbon emissions with carbon removal, focusing heavily on land-based solutions like forest planting. 

The findings suggest that continued afforestation can offset difficult emissions from sectors like energy and industry, vital for achieving carbon neutrality. However, researchers warn that as available land for new forests diminishes, the capacity for carbon sequestration may plateau after mid-century. Therefore, extending forestation efforts beyond 2035 is crucial to meet carbon neutrality targets. 

The refined OSCAR-China model used in the study offers precise estimates of carbon removal through land-use changes, highlighting the importance of accurate carbon accounting. While forestation is crucial, the research underscores that achieving carbon neutrality will require concerted efforts across all sectors, including energy and industry, to reduce emissions comprehensively. 

This study provides valuable insights for policymakers, reinforcing the importance of forest planting as a key element of China’s ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) efforts, aligning with global goals for a sustainable and carbon-neutral future. 

Sources: 

https://www.tun.com/home/chinas-forest-planting-efforts-could-offset-one-third-of-hard-to-abate-emissions-by-2060/ 

https://carbonherald.com/new-research-sheds-light-on-chinas-forestation-carbon-removal-potential/#:~:text=The%20research%20team%20noted%20that,difficult%20to%20curb%20by%202060. 

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-54846-2 

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1069179