Nature-based carbon removal refers to a suite of land, ocean, and biomass interventions that naturally draw CO₂ from the atmosphere and store it in plants, soils, and ecosystems. As countries and companies race toward net-zero, these solutions play a critical role alongside engineered carbon removal approaches such as Direct Air Capture (DAC) and Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR).

This guide breaks down the science, major categories, benefits, challenges, leading projects, and how nature-based solutions fit within credible climate strategies.

What Is Nature-Based Carbon Removal?

Nature-based carbon removal (sometimes called “natural climate solutions”) leverages ecosystems that already absorb and store CO₂ through photosynthesis, biomass accumulation, and soil carbon processes. Unlike industrial carbon capture systems outlined in our guide to Carbon Capture Technology, nature-based approaches operate without mechanical capture devices—but require careful management, monitoring, and long-term protection.

These methods remove CO₂ from the atmosphere and store it in:

• Forest biomass
• Agricultural soils
• Wetlands and peatlands
• Coastal ecosystems such as mangroves or seagrass
• Biochar and long-lasting biological materials

For deeper context on where nature-based solutions fit within the broader removal landscape, see our full guide on CDR.

How Nature-Based Carbon Removal Works

Though each approach is different, most follow similar biological processes:

Photosynthesis and Biomass Growth

Plants take in CO₂ and convert it into biomass—stems, roots, leaves, and soil organic matter.

Carbon Storage in Ecosystems

Depending on the system, carbon may remain stored for decades, centuries, or millennia. Peatlands, mangroves, and old-growth forests are among the most carbon-dense ecosystems in the world.

Soil Carbon Accumulation

Soils store more carbon than the atmosphere and all living plants combined. Practices like regenerative agriculture can rebuild soil organic carbon.

Biological Stabilisation

Some methods, such as biochar, convert biomass into stable carbon structures that remain locked away for hundreds to thousands of years.

For scientific background, the IPCC outlines the carbon cycle and removal pathways in its reports: https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg3/

Main Types of Nature-Based Carbon Removal

1. Reforestation and Afforestation

Reforestation restores forests where they have been degraded or lost. Afforestation creates forests on land that has not been recently forested.

Forests remove carbon for decades through biomass growth. However, their permanence depends on protection from logging, disease, and wildfire.

2. Improved Forest Management (IFM)

IFM enhances existing forests by extending rotation ages, reducing harvest rates, or improving stand health. This increases carbon storage while preserving working forests.

3. Soil Carbon Sequestration

Agricultural practices—cover cropping, no-till farming, managed grazing—can increase soil carbon levels.

Soil carbon is a major focus area for corporate sustainability strategies and is frequently discussed in voluntary carbon markets.

4. Biochar

Biochar is produced by heating biomass without oxygen (pyrolysis). This stabilizes carbon into a solid form that, when applied to soil, can remain stable for centuries.

For a comparison to engineered mineralization pathways, see our guide on CDR.

5. Wetland and Peatland Restoration

Peatlands store roughly twice as much carbon as all forests combined but cover only about three percent of Earth’s land surface. Restoring water levels prevents carbon loss and enables long-term sequestration.

6. Blue Carbon (Coastal Ecosystems)

Mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrass meadows capture and store significant carbon in biomass and deep sediment layers.

The UN Environment Programme provides an excellent overview of blue carbon ecosystems: https://www.unep.org/explore-topics/oceans-seas/what-we-do/climate-change/blue-carbon

Benefits of Nature-Based Carbon Removal

Low Cost Compared to Engineered Solutions

Nature-based solutions are currently more affordable than DAC or other engineered methods described in our DAC guide.

Ecosystem Co-Benefits

Restored ecosystems provide habitat, flood protection, soil fertility improvements, and biodiversity recovery.

Scalability

Vast areas of land and coastlines offer significant theoretical capacity—though governance is key.

Community and Economic Value

Projects can support local agriculture, indigenous stewardship, and sustainable rural economies.

Challenges and Limitations of Nature-Based Removal

Permanence and Risk of Reversal

Unlike engineered storage, forests and soils can lose carbon due to wildfire, drought, pests, or land-use change.

Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) Complexity

Accurately quantifying nature-based carbon is more difficult than monitoring a DAC plant. MRV advances are improving, but uncertainty remains.

Land Competition

Large-scale efforts can conflict with food production, biodiversity needs, or community land rights.

Variability Over Time

Biological systems are not consistent year to year. Weather, disease, and management all influence outcomes.

To understand why permanence matters, see the permanence and MRV discussion within our main CDR guide.

Leading Innovators and Projects

Forest and Land-Based Providers

• Pachama – Uses satellite and AI for forest project MRV.
• Land Life Company – Reforestation with high-tech monitoring.
• Evergreen Carbon Capture – Works with regions to restore degraded landscapes.

Biochar and Soil Carbon Leaders

• Charm Industrial – Converts biomass into bio-oil and injects it underground (hybrid biological-engineered removal).
• Carbonfuture – Biochar-focused MRV marketplace.

Blue Carbon Initiatives

• Conservation International – Supporting global coastal restoration.
• Blue Carbon Initiative – Joint partnership advancing coastal ecosystem carbon removal.

As engineered alternatives grow (e.g., DAC providers such as Climeworks), companies increasingly combine natural and engineered solutions to balance cost, permanence, and transparency.

How Nature-Based Removal Fits Into Corporate Climate Strategies

Many companies now use nature-based carbon removal as part of broader climate plans, alongside renewables, efficiency, and engineered removal.

Short- and Medium-Term Role

Nature-based solutions offer near-term, cost-effective removals that complement decarbonisation efforts.

Long-Term Role

Over time, corporates are expected to shift toward higher-permanence solutions such as DAC and mineralization, but nature-based solutions remain essential for ecosystem protection and regeneration.

High-Quality Criteria

Corporate buyers increasingly demand:

• Clear MRV
• Social and ecological integrity
• Long-term contractual safeguards
• Avoidance of greenwashing claims

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) provides guidelines on credible use of removals: https://sciencebasedtargets.org

FAQ

Are nature-based solutions enough on their own?

No. While they provide crucial near-term removal, long-term climate stability requires durable engineered solutions as outlined in our broader CDR guide.

How fast can nature-based carbon removal scale?

Estimates vary, but researchers suggest nature-based solutions can deliver up to 30 percent of the climate mitigation needed by 2030 if implemented responsibly.

Do these methods work everywhere?

Effectiveness depends on regional climate, ecosystems, land-use policies, and long-term protections.

Conclusion

Nature-based carbon removal plays a foundational role in the global climate response. While it is not a substitute for emission reductions or high-permanence removals like DAC, it remains essential for restoring ecosystems, supporting biodiversity, and delivering near-term climate benefits at scale.

High-quality nature-based solutions—combined with engineered approaches and robust climate strategies—create a balanced, credible pathway toward net-zero and beyond.

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