Link: https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.14887
Summary: The global economic potential of afforestation was assessed with the IMAGE 3.0 integrated assessment model framework. The effects of afforestation on food supply is also addressed under increasingly ambitious climate targets.
Key excerpts:
- “Afforestation has a mitigation potential of 4.9 GtCO2/year at 200 US$/tCO2 in 2050 leading to large-scale application in an SSP2 scenario aiming for 2°C (410 GtCO2 cumulative up to 2100).”
- “Afforestation reduces the overall costs of mitigation policy. However, it may lead to lower mitigation ambition and lock-in situations in other sectors.”
- “Afforestation also requires large amounts of land (up to 1,100 Mha) leading to large reductions in agricultural land. The increased competition for land could lead to higher food prices and an increased population at risk of hunger.”