New global maps show land can store carbon, protect wildlife, and boost economies simultaneously

A new study maps the efficiency frontier of land use across 146 countries, finding that most nations can nearly double carbon storage or economic output without harming the other. The research challenges the long-held assumption that protecting nature must come at a financial cost. If countries prioritized climate benefits, their land could lock away over 200 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide. If they prioritized economic returns, farming and forestry could generate more than $350 billion in additional income. The gains do not have to come at each other's expense. The maps are designed to guide development finance, helping banks and governments identify investments that raise incomes while storing carbon and protecting habitat. The study is published in Science.