Long-term national climate strategies bet on forests and soils to reach net-zero

The deployment of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) is crucial for achieving global and national net-zero emissions targets. This study analyzes how CDR methods are integrated into 41 Long-term Low Emission Development Strategies (LT-LEDS) submitted to the UNFCCC before 2022. It finds that enhancing forest and soil carbon sinks are the most prevalent strategies, but quantification is limited. Most strategies rely on forests to achieve net-zero, and those quantifying both residual emissions and CDR highlight constraints like wildfire risks and limited geological CO2 storage capacity, emphasizing the need for international cooperation. The study concludes that the UNFCCC needs to strengthen its reporting requirements on long-term national climate strategies.

Harry B. Smith, Naomi E. Vaughan, Johanna Forster