Global tree restoration could store massive amounts of carbon from the atmosphere

Nature · Published 2 October 2026 · Updated 21 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Researchers mapping global canopy cover found that 4.4 billion hectares of tree cover could exist under our current climate. By adding 0.9 billion hectares of trees to areas that naturally support woodlands—excluding existing forests, farms, and cities—the study suggests we could store an additional 205 gigatonnes of carbon.

This research highlights tree restoration as a powerful tool for climate mitigation, but notes that the potential is at risk. The study's projections suggest that if current climate trends continue, the available area for tree cover could shrink by approximately 223 million hectares by 2050, primarily affecting tropical regions.

Why it matters: Restoring forests is a massive opportunity for carbon storage, but climate change itself is shrinking the available land for trees.

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