This report sheds light on the significant co-benefits of NCS to nature and humanity. Carbon market participants are increasingly recognizing these broader benefits. Not least of these is the flow of private capital they can generate to countries that offer the highest potential for NCS projects, typically forest-rich countries in the Global South.

The report shows how NCS are being prevented from fulfilling their potential at scale by conceptual and technical hurdles. The lack of consensus on how to treat corporate carbon reduction claims and on the role that NCS can play needs to be addressed. Agreement is required on standards and certification under one commonly accepted
international standards body. Continuing public concerns about the validity of NCS credits should be addressed through highlighting and sharing best practice.

Natural climate solutions (NCS) play a critical role in supporting the future of both climate and nature. Research conducted for this report confirms estimates that NCS can provide one-third (close to 7 Gt CO2) of the climate mitigation to reach a 1.5- or 2-degree pathway by 2030—and at a lower cost than other forms of carbon dioxide removal. Deployed in the right way, NCS can also produce high co-benefits that accrue to nature and to communities. Building off the recommendations from the Taskforce for Scaling Voluntary Carbon Markets, this report sets out five actions to accelerate the scale-up of high-quality NCS implementation and unlock markets through the combined efforts of business leaders, policymakers and civil society.


Read also Six ways to unleash the potential of natural climate solutions