Carbon dioxide removal or so-called negative emissions may be needed in significant amounts in order to keep the average global temperature increase below 1.5° or 2°C during this century. Currently, LMT accounts for the overwhelming majority of carbon dioxide removal and may also offer opportunities for co-benefits and synergies with the Sustainable Development Goals, as land, soils and standing biomass are restored or made more productive. China is among a group of about 10 countries in the world that have the highest potential.

To get an improved understanding of the current status of LMT in China, as well as the direction in which the country is moving, the authors analysed published scientific literature and Chinese policy documents containing information, qualitative statements and quantitative targets, pertaining to the development of LMTs. To explore future trends, they interviewed experts, including researchers and practitioners in the Chinese land use and climate mitigation sphere, gathering their insights on the enablers and barriers to the development and implementation of LMTs.

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from land and harnessing land’s carbon sequestration potential appear not to have been addressed in policy in China to the same extent as climate mitigation in other sectors such as energy and industry. Where existing land use policies have effects on emissions or carbon sequestration, the majority of examined policies seem to primarily feature indirect indicators or targets related to carbon sequestration. Consequently, the development of LMTs may often occur by default rather than as a deliberate outcome of policy design, as illustrated in this report.

Among land use and ecosystem types, forestry has received the most attention in China for its contribution to carbon sequestration through afforestation, forest management, and forest restoration. This is reflected in the amount of policy documents, including China’s nationally determined contribution (NDC), presenting plans, targets and indicators for the forestry sector.

The 2022 launch of the Agriculture and Rural Areas Emission Reduction and Carbon Sequestration Implementation Plan demonstrates the intention to address the rising emissions and considerable sequestration potential in the agricultural sector. However, this is a recent development, and detailed indicators and targets on carbon sequestration are yet to be devised.

Other currently underexploited opportunities for land-based carbon sequestration and emission reductions include land use management of grasslands and wetlands, as well as industrial applications such as biochar and bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS); although generally recognized for their carbon sequestration potential, these do not yet seem to be significantly present in the Chinese climate change mitigation policy landscape. Their relevance is likely to increase as the area for wider forest expansion saturates.

Increased attention for the emissions and sequestration potential from the land sectors will be necessary on China’s decarbonization pathway and journey to reach net-zero by 2060. More focus on these sectors is expected in the future especially after China reaches its carbon peak planned in 2030. This will entail improving policy frameworks, methodologies, incentives schemes, and implementation practices across land sectors. The restart of the China Certified Emission Reduction (CCER) trial scheme in 2023 is an example of an instrument that may further financing and implementation of LMTs, albeit currently largely limited to the forestry sector.

While each LMT exhibits distinct advantages and development barriers, a common challenge across many LMTs is the absence of knowledge, technical readiness, and standardized procedures for implementation. Therefore, apart from policy support from the government, there is an opportunity for both domestic and international research institutes to contribute by enhancing capacity and sharing knowledge in this domain. Research is needed, for example, on how to incentivize farmers efficiently through policies with adequate subsidy strategies and support systems with training and technical assistance that facilitate the uptake of LMTs.