A new report by researchers at the University of Cambridge finds that nature-based carbon removals can play a key role in achieving long-term temperature stabilisation when combined with engineered carbon removal approaches and supported by solid risk management measures.
A man monitoring his tablet while two drones flying above newly planted trees, with large Direct Air Capture (DAC) facilities visible in the distance. AI generated picture.
The paper, Carbon storage portfolios for the transition to net zero, introduces a framework to help portfolio managers identify the most effective mix of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) strategies. According to lead author Conor Hickey, assistant professor in energy and climate at Cambridge University’s Department of Land Economy, ‘Our risk management approach offers one of the first reliable measures for portfolio managers targeting long-term temperature stabilisation. It shows that nature-based carbon storage such as tree planting has a bigger role to play than critics assume when used as part of a diversified carbon removal portfolio.’
The authors note that the market currently favours lower-cost nature-based CDRs such as reforestation, which are effective but carry higher risks of reversal. In contrast, engineered solutions like direct air capture (DAC) with geological storage are more permanent but remain expensive and difficult to scale.
Read more: Balancing portfolios: Nature-based vs renewable carbon credits
To manage these trade-offs, the study recommends a portfolio approach supported by buffer pools—reserves of carbon credits that can offset potential future losses. The report suggests that a buffer of two tonnes of stored CO₂ equivalent (tCO₂e) for each tonne used as an offset is sufficient in most cases, while more nature-heavy portfolios may require up to nine tonnes.
Hickey explained that ‘removing more carbon now can effectively cover carbon storage risk for centuries, and this can be done with a mix of nature and tech, as long as the right buffers are built in.’ He added that ‘portfolios can combine expensive permanent solutions like DAC with lower-cost nature-based options like planting trees—matching society’s willingness to pay while still contributing to temperature stabilisation goals.’
The proposed framework offers a practical tool for carbon market participants aiming to design balanced, resilient storage portfolios. For developers of nature-based projects, it reinforces the long-term importance of natural carbon storage as a core component in credible net-zero strategies.
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As the Cambridge study confirms, a resilient path to net zero lies in balance—where technology and nature reinforce each other for lasting carbon storage. With demand growing for verified carbon removals, quality and permanence are fast becoming the hallmarks of real progress. At Green Earth, we bring this vision to life through large-scale restoration projects that regenerate ecosystems, support local communities, and deliver measurable environmental results. For companies ready to move beyond offsets and toward meaningful, lasting impact, now is the moment to engage with solutions built for the long term.
