Prospects and challenges for land-based climate change mitigation in support of carbon dioxide removal in China

This research paper by the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the potential and barriers for land-based mitigation technologies and practices (LMTs) in China. It finds that while forestry has been the primary focus for carbon sequestration, other sectors like agriculture, grasslands, and wetlands remain underexploited. The report highlights a lack of standardized methodologies and a fragmented policy landscape, suggesting that these must be addressed to meet China's 2060 net-zero goal.

• Forestry is the most prioritized land sector for carbon sequestration in China, with extensive targets for forest cover and stock volume. The National Forest Management Plan aims for a forest carbon stock exceeding 13 billion metric tons by 2050, and the country targets a forest cover rate of 24.1% by 2025, 25% by 2030, and over 26% by 2050.
• Agricultural emissions are projected to rise and become a primary greenhouse gas source in the future, yet the sector has not been prioritized for decarbonization. The 2022 Agriculture and Rural Areas Emission Reduction and Carbon Sequestration Implementation Plan marks a recent shift toward addressing this, though detailed carbon sequestration targets are still missing.
• Black soil protection in Northeast China is a key agricultural LMT focusing on conservation and no-tillage practices. The Northeast Black Soil Protection Planning Outline aims to protect 250 million mu (16.6 million ha) by 2030, with a goal for average soil organic matter to reach more than 32g/kg.
• Grasslands and wetlands are recognized as LMTs but are currently underexploited and lack specific carbon sequestration policies. Grassland vegetation cover targets are set at 57% by 2025 and 60% by 2035, while wetland protection rates are targeted at 55% by 2025 and 60% by 2035.
• Biochar is recognized for its technical potential to sequester carbon and replace synthetic fertilizers, but it lacks a profitable business model and clear implementation policies. It is currently listed as one of the 'Top 10 Leading Technologies' by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.
• The China Certified Emission Reduction (CCER) scheme, relaunched in 2023, provides a market mechanism to fund LMTs, but it is currently limited primarily to the forestry sector. Experts note that stringent methodologies and high monitoring costs make it less accessible for smallholder farmers compared to large operations.
• A significant barrier to scaling LMTs in agriculture is the priority of food security, which prevents the promotion of practices that might reduce productivity, such as certain organic agriculture methods. Additionally, the decentralized nature of smallholder land ownership makes scaling more difficult than in the forestry sector.
• The report identifies several systemic challenges to land-based mitigation, including the absence of a unified national roadmap, siloed policies across different ministries, and a lack of standardized methodologies for calculating actual carbon sequestration.

APA

Mal, M., Zhu, H., & Johnson, F. X. (2024). Prospects and challenges for land-based climate change mitigation in support of carbon dioxide removal in China. Stockholm Environment Institute. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/land-climate-mitigation-china-sei2024.003.pdf

Chicago

Mal, Mathieu, Huiling Zhu, and Francis X. Johnson. Prospects and challenges for land-based climate change mitigation in support of carbon dioxide removal in China. Stockholm Environment Institute, 2024. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/land-climate-mitigation-china-sei2024.003.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Mal |first1=Mathieu |last2=Zhu |first2=Huiling |last3=Johnson |first3=Francis X. |title=Prospects and challenges for land-based climate change mitigation in support of carbon dioxide removal in China |publisher=Stockholm Environment Institute |date=February 2024 |url=https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/land-climate-mitigation-china-sei2024.003.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{mal2024prospects, author = {Mal, Mathieu and Zhu, Huiling and Johnson, Francis X.}, title = {{Prospects and challenges for land-based climate change mitigation in support of carbon dioxide removal in China}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2024}, month = feb, url = {https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/land-climate-mitigation-china-sei2024.003.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }