Natural climate solutions for the United States

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Climate Science
• Ecology

Background:

• Global efforts to limit warming to <2°C necessitate enhanced mitigation strategies.
• The potential of land stewardship, specifically natural climate solutions (NCS), in the United States remains largely unquantified.
• NCS encompass conservation, restoration, and improved land management on natural and agricultural lands.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify the potential of NCS in the United States to increase carbon storage and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• To assess the economic viability of NCS under current carbon market conditions.
• To identify co-benefits associated with NCS implementation.

Main Methods:

• Quantification of carbon storage and emission avoidance potential across 21 distinct NCS interventions.
• Analysis of NCS potential on both natural and agricultural lands within the United States.
• Economic assessment based on current carbon market prices (USD 10 per Mg CO2e).

Main Results:

• NCS in the United States have a maximum potential to sequester or avoid 1.2 (0.9 to 1.6) Pg CO2e per year.
• This potential is equivalent to 21% of the United States' current net annual greenhouse gas emissions.
• At USD 10 per Mg CO2e, approximately 299 Tg CO2e per year could be achieved through NCS.
• NCS implementation offers significant co-benefits, including improved air and water quality, flood control, enhanced soil health, wildlife habitat, and climate resilience.

Conclusions:

• Natural climate solutions represent a substantial, yet underutilized, mitigation strategy for the United States.
• The economic feasibility of NCS can be enhanced with supportive carbon pricing mechanisms.
• NCS provide a multifaceted approach to climate change mitigation, delivering critical ecosystem services alongside carbon sequestration.