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CLIMATE CHANGE ENVIRONMENTAL

Natural climate solutions

“Natural Climate Solutions” (NCS) help nature do what it’s been doing for millions of years: sequester and store carbon. New research shows that these solutions could deliver 37% of the emissions reductions needed to limit global warming to 2°C.

However, despite their massive potential, they only make up 1% of the climate conversation. We’re changing that by boosting awareness across the business community and helping the private sector invest in nature.

The challenge

It’s critical to limit global warming to well below 2°C to avoid catastrophic impacts, but we still haven’t done enough.

To get back on track, we need to start pulling carbon out of the atmosphere. One of the best ways to do this is through protecting and restoring natural landscapes.

But a lack of awareness and understanding, as well as low levels of investment, have stalled progress.

The business case

Natural climate solutions offer carbon capture at a remarkably low price. Up to one-third of their significant reduction potential will cost us less than $10 per ton of CO2eq stored, which is already competitive on the voluntary carbon market.

Sectors like agriculture and forestry will need natural climate solutions to achieve sustainable land use in the long term; through their investment, other sectors can help to start the transition.

The solution

Unlocking the potential of natural climate solutions requires raising global awareness, enabling policy and voluntary action. Our work and engagement with policymakers delivers the business perspective on natural climate solutions at global events and key moments.

We are also working on the business case for voluntary investment in natural climate solutions alongside our member companies.

www.wbcsd.org