From the World’s First CCB Gold Certification to a Lasting Legacy: 20 Years of Forest Carbon Projects in China
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TNC in China is taking bold new steps to achieve conservation at tremendous scale.
Donate NowForests as Carbon Sinks
Forests are the world’s largest terrestrial ecosystems, supporting the richest biodiversity and some of the most complex ecological communities on Earth. Covering approximately one-third of the world’s land area, they are home to more than 80% of terrestrial wildlife species and provide habitat for the vast majority of life on land. Forests naturally filter pollutants from water bodies, helping maintain clean water sources. They also provide food and support the livelihoods of billions of people. Forests are among the most effective natural solutions for addressing climate change by absorbing and sequestering excess carbon dioxide.
For millions of years, trees have relied on photosynthesis—Earth’s natural carbon sequestration mechanism—to continuously sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store carbon in their branches, trunks, bark, leaves and root systems. From the perspectives of biodiversity conservation and climate governance, the scientific management and ecological restoration of existing forests represent one of the most effective and readily deployable large-scale carbon reduction strategies. Healthy and intact forest ecosystems not only serve as natural buffers against disasters but also provide a vital foundation for enhancing climate resilience and mitigating environmental risks.
To this end, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) works alongside governments, businesses, communities and thousands of partners around the world to protect, sustainably manage and restore the forests on which we all depend.
Our Role
Through afforestation using native tree species, supported by scientific planning and long-term management, we restore forest ecosystems that provide multiple ecological benefits—an approach widely recognized as one of the most effective and cost-efficient pathways for mitigating climate change.
Since 2005, TNC’s Forest Carbon Sink Program has developed and implemented high-quality, high-integrity forest carbon projects in regions across China that hold significant ecological value and representative habitats. By restoring forests and improving forest management practices, these projects increase carbon storage, conserve biodiversity and strengthen ecosystem resilience.
Project areas include biodiversity hotspots in the mountainous regions of Southwest China, giant panda habitats in Sichuan Province and ecologically fragile semi-arid regions in Inner Mongolia.
Our Mission
Restore vegetation and protect biodiversity in critical habitats
By using native tree species, adapting to local conditions and implementing scientific planning, we restore forest vegetation on deforested and degraded lands within key habitat areas. These efforts enhance ecological connectivity and create corridors that support the movement and exchange of wildlife populations.
Strengthen climate change mitigation and adaptation
Through the development of forest carbon projects, carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere as forests recover and grow, contributing to climate change mitigation. Restored forest ecosystems also provide essential ecological functions and help strengthen the resilience of both ecosystems and local communities to climate change.
Support sustainable development in project communities
Forest restoration and management activities create job opportunities for local communities, helping increase household income, strengthen technical skills and raise awareness of nature conservation.
Our Principles
TNC’s forest carbon projects in China adhere to the principle of “right tree, right place,” combining trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants while following the Climate, Community and Biodiversity (CCB) Standards. These principles and standards help ensure that every project delivers multiple benefits, including climate change mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity conservation and support for sustainable community development.
By the Numbers
To date, TNC in China has implemented:
- 11 forest carbon projects across China, including international CDM and CCBA projects as well as domestic projects such as the Panda Standard and CCER framework.
- 27.6 million trees of various species planted.
- 130,000 hectares of forest land restored or managed more effectively.
- Carbon benefits expected to remove 30 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions over the next 60 years.
Our Work
TNC China’s reforestation projects restore near-natural forest ecosystems that provide a range of ecosystem services, including soil and water conservation, improved water quality and cleaner air. They also restore habitats for endangered species and strengthen key ecological corridors, helping enhance the climate resilience of both local communities and wildlife. These projects generate ecological and economic benefits to surrounding communities.
TNC China’s first forest carbon project restored 500 hectares of degraded land in Tengchong, western Yunnan, between 2005 and 2009. In 2007, it became the world’s first project to receive Gold certification under the Climate, Community, and Biodiversity (CCB) Standards.
In 2011, TNC launched China’s first forest carbon project involving a multinational corporation—the Novartis Southwest Sichuan Forestry Carbon, Community and Biodiversity Project. Building on this success, TNC partnered with Disney to implement the Yunnan Disney Degraded Land Vegetation Restoration Forestry Carbon Project, the Southwest Sichuan Giant Panda Habitat Restoration Forestry Carbon Project, and the Inner Mongolia Shengle International Ecological Demonstration Zone Forestry Carbon Project.
In 2015, the Yunnan Golden Monkey Habitat Vegetation Restoration Project was launched, and in 2020, the Near-Natural Ecological Restoration Project for the Stone Desertification Areas Surrounding the Danjiangkou Reservoir was launched. Following that, the Reforest Action Inner Mongolia Afforestation Project was launched in 2021.
For many years, TNC has promoted the development of forest carbon solutions in China through research, policy engagement and on-the-ground project implementation. Since China launched its carbon market pilot program in 2012, TNC has participated in the development of methodologies for afforestation, forest management and other forestry-related carbon activities while supporting pilot demonstration projects.
Notably in 2016, the Heilongjiang Cuiluan Forest Management Carbon Project became the nation’s first forest management project to meet China’s Certified Emission Reduction (CCER) standards. In 2023, TNC participated in updating methodologies for afforestation and mangrove restoration following revisions to the CCER program.
At the same time, TNC and its partners have expanded research into other nature-based climate solutions, including wetland carbon sinks and forming mining site restoration.
Looking ahead, TNC in China will continue to advance near-natural restoration using native tree species in biodiversity hotspots and other priority landscapes. Building on voluntary standards such as CCER and GS/VCS, TNC will develop diverse demonstration projects that show ecological restoration can generate measurable, quantifiable and investable benefits for both people and nature.
By promoting practical, science-based solutions and innovative approaches to realizing carbon value, TNC aims to provide nature-based solutions that balance biodiversity conservation and climate benefits. TNC’s pioneering efforts aim to make ecological restoration an integral part of a sustainable future.
Case Studies
Tengchong Restoration Project, Yunnan
In 2007, TNC’s small-scale reforestation carbon project in Tengchong, Yunnan, became the world’s first forest carbon project to receive Gold certification under the CCB Standards. The project restored approximately 500 hectares of degraded mountainous land to its original mixed-species forest, with an estimated carbon sequestration of over 150,000 metric tons of CO₂ over 30 years. That same year, it also completed China’s first voluntary carbon credit transactions.
Afforestation of the Shengle Ecological Zone, Inner Mongolia
Launched in 2010, the Inner Mongolia Shengle International Ecological Demonstration Zone Project was the first forestry project in northern China’s arid and semi-arid regions to be successfully developed and traded under the United Nations Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). The project restored nearly 40,000 mu (approximately 2,667 hectares) of degraded land and established approximately 26,000 mu of carbon forests. It was implemented in collaboration with partners such as the China Green Carbon Foundation and the Inner Mongolia Laoniu Foundation.
Afforestation and Reforestation of Degraded Lands in Southwest Sichuan
Launched in 2011, the Novartis Carbon Project in Southwest Sichuan is China’s first large-scale forestry carbon sink project that is fully funded by a multinational corporation. Registered under the United Nations CDM mechanism, the project spans mountainous areas of southwest Sichuan and works with local forestry departments and communities to create a long-term model in which restoration is funded by the private sector, communities participate in stewardship and management, and carbon revenues are reinvested to support local livelihoods.
Disney’s Forest Restoration Projects in Sichuan and Yunnan
Since 2013, TNC has partnered with The Walt Disney Company to implement forestry carbon sink and vegetation restoration projects in Sichuan and Yunnan. Together, these projects are expected to sequester more than 400,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide.
In Sichuan, native alpine tree species such as fir and spruce are being planted to restore 354 hectares of fragmented giant panda habitat. In Yunnan, approximately 1,800 hectares of degraded land in areas including Lincang and Honghe have been selected for restoration using native tree species.
Located within one of Southwest China’s biodiversity hotspots, the project integrates species conservation, landscape connectivity and ecosystem restoration. Local communities play a central role in seedling cultivation, planting and long-term maintenance, generating economic benefits while supporting both climate and biodiversity goals.
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