India’s forests poised to double carbon capture by 2100, new study Reveals

New Delhi: India’s forests could nearly double their carbon storage capacity by 2100, emerging as a powerful natural ally against climate change, according to a new study published this week in Environmental Research: Climate.

Researchers from multiple Indian institutes used advanced climate modelling to project how the country’s forest carbon stocks will evolve. Their findings suggest that under current emission trends, India’s green cover could sequester almost twice as much carbon as it does today.

The granular forecast offers an optimistic view of forests as active climate solutions. Increased carbon uptake indicates robust tree growth and expanding biomass, strengthening India’s role in meeting global climate goals.

The study provides fresh, region-specific data that could help policymakers enhance conservation and afforestation programs. It complements existing assessments by the Forest Survey of India by mapping long-term potential under changing climate conditions.

“India’s forests are demonstrating remarkable resilience and capacity to act as carbon sinks,” the researchers noted. “This underscores the value of protecting and expanding forest ecosystems as part of our climate strategy.”

The findings highlight the critical role of India’s 625+ million hectares of forest and tree cover in the global carbon cycle, positioning the country’s natural landscapes as key assets in the fight against climate change.