Carbon Sinks
Photosynthesis allows forests to act as sinks that consume carbon dioxide and release oxygen. RFF experts offer insights into the land use challenges associated with forestry offsets, as well as the balance between forest coverage and biomass production that is needed to create carbon-neutral systems.
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Journal Article — Dec 4, 2024
Land-Use Change, No-Net-Loss Policies, and Effects on Carbon Dioxide Removals
A peer-reviewed paper shows that because mature forests store substantially more carbon than young forests, avoiding losses of existing forests provides more carbon storage benefits than adding new forests.
Report — Feb 21, 2024
Policy Incentives to Scale Carbon Dioxide Removal: Analysis and Recommendations
This report surveys the challenges to scaling carbon dioxide removal efforts in the United States and details short-term solutions and long-run policy frameworks.
On the Issues — Dec 8, 2023
On the Issues: Preserving Forests at COP28, Charging Electric Vehicles, and More
A biweekly newsletter connecting global current events, pressing climate and energy policy news, and economics research from RFF scholars. This week: preserving forests at COP28, charging electric vehicles, and more.
Resources Radio — Nov 28, 2023
Counting Carbon in US Forests, with David Wear
David Wear discusses the rate at which US forests can remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, different approaches for estimating the amount of sequestered carbon, and the implications of varying estimates.
Journal Article — Dec 4, 2024
Land-Use Change, No-Net-Loss Policies, and Effects on Carbon Dioxide Removals
A peer-reviewed paper shows that because mature forests store substantially more carbon than young forests, avoiding losses of existing forests provides more carbon storage benefits than adding new forests.
Report — Feb 21, 2024
Policy Incentives to Scale Carbon Dioxide Removal: Analysis and Recommendations
This report surveys the challenges to scaling carbon dioxide removal efforts in the United States and details short-term solutions and long-run policy frameworks.
Working Paper — Oct 19, 2023
Land-Use Change, No-Net-Loss Policies, and Effects on Carbon Dioxide Removals
In this working paper, RFF researchers employ the CALM model to evaluate how alternative land-use changes affect projections for land-based carbon dioxide removal in the United States.
Report — Jun 21, 2023
Prospects for Land Sector Carbon Dioxide Removal in the United States
This RFF report explores policies to expand the level of carbon dioxide removals from the land sector.
RFF Live — Jul 25, 2023
Changing Climate, Changing Forests: Exploring the US Forest Service’s 2020 RPA Assessment
On Tuesday, July 25, RFF and the USDA Forest Service unpacked the findings from the 2020 RPA Assessment and discussed the implications of our changing forest resources.
RFF Live — Jun 27, 2023
Policy Road Map to Accelerate Responsible BECCS Deployment
An event hosted by EFI Foundation and Resources for the Future reviewing the future of bioenergy with carbon capture and storage
RFF Live — May 4, 2022
Working Forests: A Path to Climate Solutions
Exploring how working forests can contribute to achieving climate change goals as well as provide a sustainable supply of wood products
Speech/Presentation — Sep 1, 2020
Stanford Global Carbon Management Workshop
Stanford Global Carbon Management Workshop
On the Issues — Dec 8, 2023
On the Issues: Preserving Forests at COP28, Charging Electric Vehicles, and More
A biweekly newsletter connecting global current events, pressing climate and energy policy news, and economics research from RFF scholars. This week: preserving forests at COP28, charging electric vehicles, and more.
Resources Radio — Nov 28, 2023
Counting Carbon in US Forests, with David Wear
David Wear discusses the rate at which US forests can remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, different approaches for estimating the amount of sequestered carbon, and the implications of varying estimates.
Common Resources — May 7, 2020
Tree Planting, Land Use, and Forest Climate Benefits
The global Trillion Tree Initiative is helping to publicize the important role forests can play in mitigating climate change—but more needs to be done to incentivize private landowners to plant more trees.
Common Resources — Mar 11, 2020
Opportunities Ahead for Expanding Forests and Harnessing Bioenergy
As the global One Trillion Trees initiative attracts pivotal support, RFF’s Ann Bartuska, Dave Wear, and Robert Bonnie explain why utilizing forest bioenergy is more complicated than it might first appear.
Press Release — Oct 19, 2023
Old Forests Store More Carbon than Young Ones—and That Matters for US Climate Goals
A new paper shows that because mature forests store substantially more carbon than young forests, avoiding losses of existing forests provides more carbon storage benefits than adding new forests.
Press Release — Jun 21, 2023
Forests Will Sequester Less Carbon in the Coming Decades
Forests Will Sequester Less Carbon in the Coming Decades
Media Highlight — Aug 9, 2022
Reuters: "Small-Scale Forest Landowners Gain Foothold in the US Carbon Markets"
RFF Senior Fellow David Wear comments on the relationship between small-scale landowners and carbon markets.
Media Highlight — Jan 13, 2021
Forests Can't Store Carbon If They're Overheated
Forests Can't Store Carbon If They're Overheated
