Context:
India’s forest and tree cover stands at 25.17%, falling short of the 33% target outlined in the National Forest Policy (1988). Amid accelerating climate change, expanding tree cover is vital to:
- Sequester carbon and mitigate emissions
- Restore degraded ecosystems
- Support rural livelihoods
- Enhance climate resilience
Role of Tree Plantations in Climate Mitigation
- Act as natural carbon sinks by absorbing atmospheric CO₂
- Improve soil health, groundwater recharge, and ecosystem resilience
- Protect against flooding, drought, and soil erosion
Carbon Sequestration
Definition
Carbon sequestration is the process of capturing and storing carbon in a carbon pool to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the atmosphere. It plays a vital role in mitigating climate change.
Types of Carbon Sequestration
There are two main types:
Biologic Carbon Sequestration (Biosequestration)
- Natural Process: Occurs as part of the Earth’s carbon cycle.
- Enhancement by Humans: Through practices like carbon farming, reforestation, and improved land use.
- Mechanism: CO₂ is captured via biological, chemical, and physical processes (e.g., photosynthesis, soil storage).
- Goal: Increase carbon stored in plants, soil, and oceans.
Geologic Carbon Sequestration (Carbon Capture and Storage – CCS)
- Artificial Process: Uses technology to capture CO₂ emissions from power plants or industrial processes.
- Storage: CO₂ is compressed and injected into underground geological formations or beneath the sea bed.
- Purpose: Prevent CO₂ from entering the atmosphere.
Importance
- Reduces atmospheric CO₂, a major greenhouse gas.
- Supports global climate goals and carbon neutrality targets.
- Complements emission reduction strategies in agriculture, industry, and energy sectors.
Key Government Initiatives
- National Agroforestry Policy (2014): Promotes tree planting on private lands to reduce dependence on forests
- Green India Mission (GIM): Contributed to a 0.56% increase in forest cover (2017–2021)
- Trees Outside Forests in India (TOFI) Program: Encourages farmer and community participation in afforestation
Corporate Participation and Strategic Shifts
- Industries (automobile, cement, energy) undertake afforestation under CSR and carbon offset strategies
- Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (EU, from 2026) to levy tariffs on carbon-intensive imports
- Indian firms are:
- Investing in carbon-offset plantations
- Adopting green supply chains and sustainable forestry
- Earning carbon credits via Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) and Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)
Economic and Social Co-Benefits
- Tree plantations generate millions of rural jobs
- Agroforestry increases farm incomes by 20–30% (ICAR study)
- Provides timber, fruits, medicinal plants, and drought resilience
- Empowers communities via:
- Capacity building
- Financial incentives
- Market access for forest-based products
Policy Gaps and Recommendations
| Challenge | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| High cost of global carbon credits (€83/t in EU ETS) | Promote domestic afforestation as cost-effective alternative |
| Lack of national carbon trading policy | Establish a carbon credit registry and regulatory framework under Article 6 |
| Limited private sector participation | Offer financial incentives and streamline approval processes |
The Road to Net-Zero by 2070 India’s path to carbon neutrality must include:
- Scalable tree plantations
- Transparent carbon trading systems
- Public-private-community partnerships
Inaction risks environmental degradation, export losses, and economic instability. Strategic afforestation is not just climate policy—it’s economic policy.
