Nature-based carbon reduction (Nature-based solutions)

Nature-based carbon reduction (NbS for carbon) encompasses actions that use natural or sustainably managed ecosystems to sequester CO₂ from the atmosphere while delivering co-benefits for biodiversity and local communities.

It includes conservation, restoration, and improved management of forests, wetlands, agricultural soils, and oceans.

Main categories

- Protection: avoiding emissions and the loss of stored carbon (REDD+ in tropical forests).
- Restoration: reforesting degraded areas, restoring mangroves and seagrass meadows (blue carbon).
- Improved management: regenerative agriculture, silvopasture, and sustainable forest management.

Mitigation potential

Studies by The Nature Conservancy estimate ~11 Gt CO₂e/year of cost-effective potential through 2030.

Frameworks and standards

- Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) and Gold Standard AFOLU methodologies.
- IPCC 2019 Refinement for soil and biomass carbon accounting.

Co-benefits

- Climate adaptation (flood control, coastal resilience).
- Habitat and species conservation.
- Improved rural livelihoods.

Challenges and safeguards

- Permanence: risk of fires and land-use change.
- Leakage: displacement of deforestation to other areas.
- Indigenous rights: need for participation and consent.

Financing

- Voluntary carbon markets and multilateral funds (FCPF, GCF).
- Green bonds and results-based payment mechanisms.

Nature-based solutions are essential to meeting the 1.5 °C target, provided they complement industrial emission reductions and are managed with robust safeguards.