Climate Change Stories

Natural Climate Solutions Resource Center

See the latest science, research and case studies demonstrating how nature can help increase carbon storage and avoid greenhouse gas emissions around the world.

Underwater view of mangrove roots.
BAHAMAS EXUMA CAYS Mangroves stabilize the shoreline, trap debris from incoming tides and support sea life. © Mark Godfrey/TNC

Nature can help achieve one-third of the global greenhouse gas emission reductions needed to ensure a safer climate—but how?

New to Natural Climate Solutions?

Learn why partnering with nature is crucial for climate action.

Intro to NCS

In 2017, research led by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) demonstrated that natural climate solutions (NCS) have the potential to achieve one-third of the global greenhouse gas emission reductions needed to stabilize our climate. Since then, TNC scientists and partners have continued investigating how, when and where to invest in NCS to deliver on the world's most urgent climate goals.

TNC's Natural Climate Solutions Resource Center showcases some of the best examples of NCS implementation worldwide, according to four featured biomes: forests, croplands, grasslands and wetlands. These case studies are intended to support a variety of stakeholders, including governments, community leaders, land managers, companies and investors. 

We have years—not decades—to address the interconnected crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. Below, learn how nature can help. 

Aerial view of mangroves with river cutting through.
INDONESIA Mangroves contribute to climate and biodiversity. © Dhika Rino Pratama/YKAN

Overview

Deep Dive: Science that Matters in Your World

Forest Resources

Forests include any land that is not considered cropland with tree cover naturally > 25%, including tropical rainforests, dry forests, boreal forests, and tree plantations managed for wood products

  • Mapping carbon accumulation potential from global natural forest regrowth

    New study provides best resolution data to determine potential carbon storage of natural forest regrowth as a NCS strategy. Read the forest carbon storage study.

  • Potential carbon sequestration rate from natural forest regrowth

    See the potential for carbon storage anywhere on the planet with this interactive tool. View the forest regrowth map.

  • Tropical climate mitigation potential

    New research suggests that cost-effective NCS could mitigate over half of national emissions in tropical countries. Read and download the study.

  • Funding for high forest, low deforestation (HFLD) areas

    This report outlines potential incentive structures and business models that could create more equitable flows of finance to countries and jurisdictions that have historically maintained a high forest cover and low deforestation rates (HFLD). Read and download the report

Croplands Resources

Croplands include any lands managed for annual or perennial crops, including agroforestry systems such as cacao, coffee, and intercropping. Agroforestry systems would be considered cropland even if they have > 25% tree cover. As a perennial crop, oil palm and other orchards arealso considered croplands

  • Adding trees to agricultural lands has major climate potential

    New science and high-resolution mapping helps estimate the current and potential carbon storage of trees in non-forested portions of agricultural lands. View the research.

  • Review: Role of non-state actors in agroforestry

    Key study identifies points of entry for non-state actors to increase smallholder incentives for agroforestry adoption in low and middle-income countries. Read abstract and download full study.

Grasslands Resources

This biome includes prairies, steppes, shrublands, tundra, savannas, and other habitats with tree cover < 25%. This includes grazed and un-grazed lands.

  • Soils Revealed

    Soil carbon can help combat climate change. This site tracks soil carbon change and have predicted the potential amount of carbon our soils could hold. Using that, you can see the areas where action can make the biggest impact.

  • Savanna fire management

    Savanna fire management can generate enough carbon revenue to help restore Africa’s rangelands and fill protected area funding gaps Read the article.

  • Consistent cooling benefits of silvopasture in the tropics

    New study finds that trees in pasturelands (silvopasture) across Latin America and Africa can offer substantial cooling benefits. View the full article.

Wetlands Resources

Wetlands include natural freshwater ecosystems, such as peatlands and freshwater mineral wetlands, as well as salty coastal ecosystems, such as mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrass meadows.

  • The Carbon Cost of Converting Peatlands to Oil Palm

    New research from Indonesia calculates the carbon cost of converting peat swamps to oil palm plantations. Read the feature.

Multibiome Resources

Resources in this category encompass two or more NCS pathways that occur in two or more biomes.

  • Funding natural climate solutions

    This 2023 study looks at the needs, gaps, and potential sources of funding for natural climate solutions in eight countries that have high NCS potential: Brazil, Colombia, China, Indonesia, Mexico, India, Australia, and Gabon. Download the fact sheet.

  • Tropical climate mitigation potential

    New research suggests that cost-effective NCS could mitigate over half of national emissions in tropical countries. Read and download the study.

  • Adding trees to agricultural lands has major climate potential

    New science and high-resolution mapping helps estimate the current and potential carbon storage of trees in non-forested portions of agricultural lands. View the research.

  • Sustainable Cattle Ranching Report – Colombia (in Spanish)

    Reporte sobre las oportunidades para el financiamiento de la Nama de ganadería bovina 2020-2030: énfasis restauración de bosques naturales, y árboles en tierras agropecuarias (silvopastoriles y agroforestales) [Report: NCS for Colombia's NDCs] Descarga el reporte.

  • Nature-based solutions for climate change in Colombia

    Watch a video on nature's potential to support climate action in Colombia (5:15). View on YouTube.

  • Review: Role of non-state actors in agroforestry

    Key study identifies points of entry for non-state actors to increase smallholder incentives for agroforestry adoption in low and middle-income countries. Read abstract and download full study.

  • Soluciones Naturales del Clima para la Reducción de Emisiones, Colombia

    Análisis de las barreras y oportunidades asociadas al marco normativo e institucional para la implementación de las Soluciones Naturales del Clima (NCS) Descarga el reporte.

  • Natural climate solutions in Colombia

    An opportunity for reducing emissions. Read the full report.

  • Nature-based solutions for climate change in Colombia

    TNC shares three highly viable NCS pathways to achieving Colombia's climate action goals. See the factsheet.

  • Natural Climate Solutions Instagram (in Bahasa Indonesia)

    Kolaborasi Kementerian Lingkungan Hidup & Kehutanan dengan Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara menghasilkan kajian Natural Climate Solutions yang mampu menjadi jawaban untuk mencapai target NDC Indonesia. [NCS instagram in Kompas] Follow @hariankompas

  • Nature-based Climate Solutions (in Mandarin)

    Nature-based solutions (NbS) have been proposed for nearly 10 years as a cost-effective way for human societies to address a range of environmental and social challenges, but have only recently gained traction in the international community. Read the report.

  • Natural climate solutions in the United States

    A study investigating 21 natural pathways for U.S. climate action. Read about the study.

  • Natural climate solutions in Canada

    A study led by Nature United with 16 other research institutions showing that Natural Climate Solutions can reduce Canada’s emissions by up to 78 megatonnes of CO2e annually in 2030. Read more.

Global Insights

Check out our latest thinking and real-world solutions to some of the most complex challenges facing people and the planet today.