Changes in perspective needed to forge 'no-regret' forest-based climate change mitigation strategies.

Area of Science:

• Forestry science
• Climate change mitigation
• Ecology

Background:

• Forests are crucial for climate change mitigation, but strategies for their use are debated.
• Conflicting viewpoints exist regarding wood utilization versus conservation for carbon sequestration.
• Regions with growing forests present unique challenges for developing effective mitigation strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a new perspective for sustainable forest research focused on "no-regret" climate change mitigation strategies.
• To shift the focus in carbon implication assessments from wood-for-fossil substitution to forest carbon sequestration potential.
• To align forest-based climate solutions with the urgency of climate action.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of forest growth dynamics and opportunity carbon costs of wood use.
• Quantification of sustainable yield potentials compatible with desired forest carbon sequestration potentials.
• Reorientation of carbon implication assessments to prioritize sequestration.

Main Results:

• Suggests prioritizing forest carbon sequestration potential as the starting point for assessments.
• Advocates for quantifying sustainable wood yields that are compatible with carbon sequestration goals.
• Highlights the need to consider permanence and vulnerability of forest carbon stocks.

Conclusions:

• A "no-regret" approach to forest mitigation strategies is proposed, centering on carbon sequestration.
• This perspective better aligns with the urgent need for viable climate solutions.
• Research should integrate carbon sequestration, stock permanence, substitution effects, and demand-side strategies.