Just like a good financial advisor will tell you to diversify your investments, the same wisdom applies to climate strategy. No single solution, whether it’s tech-driven or nature-based, can tackle climate change effectively on its own. Gabriel Labbate, who leads the Climate Mitigation Unit at the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), emphasizes this need for a variety of approaches.
The 30th “Conference of the Parties” (COP30) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change will be held in Belém, Brazil, from November 6-21, 2025. Global leaders will gather to discuss crucial actions needed to limit temperature rise to 1.5°C and review the progress on financial commitments made at COP29.
A recent global study has thrown a wrench in our understanding of carbon storage. It revealed that Earth’s geological capacity to store carbon dioxide (CO₂) might be much lower than previously thought. Researchers calculated that the safe limit is around 1,460 gigatons, a stark contrast to the 11,800 gigatons often cited as the potential capacity. This means we should reconsider strategies that overly rely on underground carbon storage.
Climate change isn’t a simple issue. We need a multi-layered response that addresses various timelines. Even temporary reductions in CO₂ can slow down warming and potentially prevent catastrophic tipping points, such as severe forest loss or disruptions in ocean currents. Even if some carbon eventually re-emits, the benefits of reducing peak temperatures can be enormous.
Combining engineered solutions with natural methods, like preserving forests, can be a win-win. Nature-based strategies not only help reduce emissions but also protect biodiversity and enhance community resilience. Both approaches are critical and shouldn’t be pitted against each other.
For instance, the recent adoption of a permanence standard under Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement requires that stored carbon is secure over a hundred years. This definition can eliminate many natural solutions because they carry inherent uncertainties. Instead, we should evaluate whether these solutions provide real and lasting benefits over shorter time frames.
The IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report highlights the importance of nature-based solutions—specifically forests—in bridging the gap between ambitions and capabilities. They could help reduce emissions by up to 6 gigatons annually by 2030. Investing wisely in these resources can facilitate vast climate benefits and support sustainable development.
Policies must adapt to this new reality. Strengthening integrity and oversight is essential to build trust in climate markets. Standards should recognize both short-term gains and robust safeguards while avoiding unrealistic benchmarks. A flexible, technology-neutral approach will encourage innovation and allocate resources where they’re most effective.
Waiting for perfect solutions isn’t an option. The urgency of climate change calls for an “all-hands-on-deck” approach. The latest findings should drive us to act rather than retreat into fatalism. Effective use of our limited geologic capacity is crucial for long-term solutions, but we also need to scale up nature-based actions immediately to avert dangerous climate consequences.
Addressing climate change isn’t about one grand solution. It’s about harnessing every viable option simultaneously with integrity and urgency. Our toolbox for tackling this multi-faceted crisis is full; let’s put it to work effectively.
