In this article we take a quick look at how afforestation / reforestation can be a part of the solution to addressing climate change.
Why invest in afforestation / reforestation?
The IPCC estimates that deforestation has led to 45% of total Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use (AFOLU) emissions between 2010 and 2019.(1) Yet, the IPCC indicates that up to 30% of the global mitigation needed for the Paris Agreement 1.5 oC or 2 oC pathway towards 2050 can be provided by AFOLU, of which 1.6 GtCO 2 yr –1 can economically be mitigated with afforestation / reforestation.(2)
This means that afforestation / reforestation must be a part of the solution to addressing climate change, and the net cost of delivering mitigation in this sector is estimated by the IPCC to reach USD400 billion yr –1 by 2050. (3)
For further reading on why afforestation / reforestation is critical to mitigate the effects of climate change, you can read the Technical Summary from the IPCC report.
1 IPCC (2022) “Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change – Full Report”, pg. TS-84
2 IPCC (2022) “Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change – Full Report”, pg. TS-85 and pg. 7-50
3 IPCC (2022) “Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change – Full Report”, pg. TS-87