By Abbas Nazil
A new study by the University of Cambridge, UK, has revealed that well-planned carbon removal strategies combining both nature-based and technological methods could help stabilize Earth’s climate for centuries.
The study emphasizes that success depends on how effectively the risks of carbon storage are managed rather than on choosing between trees or machines.
Carbon dioxide remains in the atmosphere for hundreds of years, and while removing it can help cool the planet, ensuring that the captured carbon stays locked away is crucial.
Currently, there are two dominant approaches: nature-based methods such as tree planting and soil restoration, and technology-driven systems like direct air capture and underground storage.
The research warns that nature-based projects, though cheaper, are vulnerable to fires and land-use changes, while tech-based methods, though expensive, provide more secure storage.
The Cambridge team developed a new model that assesses how combinations of carbon removal projects can support global temperature stabilization for hundreds of years.
They recommend adding a “buffer” to account for risks of reversal.
For example, if using mainly nature-based solutions, two tons of carbon should be removed for every ton emitted.
In higher-risk cases, that ratio could rise to nine-to-one.
Lead author Dr. Conor Hickey explained that this approach allows governments and companies to make realistic, long-term decisions about balancing cost, permanence, and climate goals.
The study also highlights that while nature-based solutions are valuable, they must be paired with durable geological storage to achieve true “net zero” by mid-century.
Co-author Professor Myles Allen stated that lasting climate stability requires shifting towards geological storage, aligning with Paris Agreement goals.
The findings suggest that hybrid carbon portfolios combining natural and technological methods with strategic buffers can sustain cooling for centuries if properly managed.
