There has been research in recent years that suggests that in order to limit warming of the Earth, we will have to remove carbon from the atmosphere, in addition to decreasing greenhouse gas emissions. It is estimated that afforestation or reforestation has the potential to remove between 0.5 and 10.1 metric gigatons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year by 2050.
Estimated potential of select land-based carbon removal technologies worldwide by 2050 (in metric gigatons of carbon dioxide equivalent)*
Characteristic
Min
Max
Afforestation/reforestation
0.5
10.1
Soil carbon sequestration in croplands and grasslands
0.4
8.6
Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage
0.4
11.3
Biochar
0.03
4.9
Enhanced weathering
0.5
4
02.557.51012.5
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* Some estimates do not account for constraints like land competition and sustainability concerns, so these solutions may have significantly lower carbon removal potentials.
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WRI. (August 8, 2019). Estimated potential of select land-based carbon removal technologies worldwide by 2050 (in metric gigatons of carbon dioxide equivalent)* [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved April 04, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1045166/emission-reduction-potential-carbon-removal-worldwide/
WRI. "Estimated potential of select land-based carbon removal technologies worldwide by 2050 (in metric gigatons of carbon dioxide equivalent)*." Chart. August 8, 2019. Statista. Accessed April 04, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1045166/emission-reduction-potential-carbon-removal-worldwide/
WRI. (2019). Estimated potential of select land-based carbon removal technologies worldwide by 2050 (in metric gigatons of carbon dioxide equivalent)*. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: April 04, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1045166/emission-reduction-potential-carbon-removal-worldwide/
WRI. "Estimated Potential of Select Land-based Carbon Removal Technologies Worldwide by 2050 (in Metric Gigatons of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent)*." Statista, Statista Inc., 8 Aug 2019, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1045166/emission-reduction-potential-carbon-removal-worldwide/
WRI, Estimated potential of select land-based carbon removal technologies worldwide by 2050 (in metric gigatons of carbon dioxide equivalent)* Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1045166/emission-reduction-potential-carbon-removal-worldwide/ (last visited April 04, 2025)
Estimated potential of select land-based carbon removal technologies worldwide by 2050 (in metric gigatons of carbon dioxide equivalent)* [Graph], WRI, August 8, 2019. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1045166/emission-reduction-potential-carbon-removal-worldwide/
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