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Nature-Based Solutions in China: A Green Strategy to Combat Climate Change

May 20, 2025May 20, 2025

NBS will remain a key component of its climate strategy—but they must be complemented by deeper systemic changes to achieve meaningful progress.

As the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, China faces mounting pressure to reduce its carbon footprint. While the country has invested heavily in renewable energy and technological innovations, it increasingly turns to nature-based solutions (NBS) to address climate change. These strategies, which include reforestation, wetland restoration, and sustainable land management, aim to leverage the power of ecosystems to absorb carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere. But to what extent is China using these solutions, and how effectively are they curbing emissions?

China’s Embrace of Nature-Based Solutions

China has long recognized the potential of nature-based solutions, particularly through its ambitious afforestation and reforestation programs. The country’s Grain for Green Program, launched in 1999, is one of the largest ecosystem restoration projects in the world. By converting farmland into forests and grasslands, the program has restored over 28 million hectares of land, sequestering an estimated 2.7 billion tons of CO₂ by 2020 [link].

In addition to reforestation, China has invested in wetland restoration and coastal ecosystem preservation. For instance, the country’s mangrove restoration projects have expanded mangrove coverage since the 1980s. There are 52 natural protection areas of mangroves in China, covering over 55% of the mangroves all over the country, according to the Global Mangrove Alliance (source: Global Mangrove Alliance). Mangroves are highly effective carbon sinks, storing up to four times more carbon than terrestrial forests.

The Impact on China’s Emissions

While nature-based solutions are not a silver bullet, they are significant in China’s broader climate strategy. China’s forest carbon sinks will be 1.26 Pg (peta-grams) in 2021–2030 and 6.78 Pg in 2021–2060, giving an offset ratio of 4.9–7.0 % and 13.2–18.2 % of China’s projected carbon emission in the same period, respectively. However, this figure pales in comparison to the country’s total emissions, which were approximately 13 billion tons in 2021, according to the Global Carbon Project (source: Global Carbon Project).

Challenges such as land availability, water scarcity, and the time required for ecosystems to mature further limit the impact of NBS. For example, while reforestation efforts have been successful in some regions, they have also led to planting monocultures, which are less resilient and less effective at carbon sequestration than diverse, natural forests.

Tracking the Impact: Data and Transparency

China has made strides in monitoring the impact of its nature-based solutions. The country’s National Forest Inventory provides detailed data on forest coverage and carbon sequestration rates. At the same time, satellite imagery and remote sensing technologies are used to track changes in land use and ecosystem health. However, some experts argue that more transparency is needed, particularly in verifying the carbon sequestration claims of large-scale projects.

For instance, a 2021 report by Carbon Brief highlighted discrepancies in China’s forest carbon accounting, noting that some estimates may overstate the carbon uptake due to methodological differences (source: Carbon Brief, 2021).

Comparing NBS to Other Emission Reduction Strategies

Nature-based solutions are often more cost-effective and provide additional benefits, such as biodiversity conservation and improved water quality, compared to technological solutions like renewable energy and carbon capture and storage (CCS). However, they cannot replace the need for rapid decarbonization in sectors like energy, transportation, and industry.

For example, China’s investment in wind and solar energy has significantly reduced coal consumption, with modern renewables accounting for 11.2% of the country’s energy mix in 2021, according to the International Energy Agency (source: IEA, 2022). In contrast, NBS are expected to contribute only a fraction of the emissions reductions needed to meet China’s 2060 carbon neutrality goal.

The Road Ahead

China’s use of nature-based solutions demonstrates a commitment to exploring diverse strategies for climate mitigation. However, the effectiveness of these solutions depends on careful planning, robust monitoring, and integration with other emission reduction efforts. As the country continues to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability, NBS will remain a key component of its climate strategy—but it must be complemented by deeper systemic changes to achieve meaningful progress.

In the words of a senior researcher at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, “Nature-based solutions are not a substitute for cutting emissions at the source, but they are a vital piece of the puzzle.” That puzzle is still being assembled for China, and the world is watching closely.

This Post was submitted by Climate Scorecard China Country Manager Vincent Mao.

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