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Forests continue to play a vital role in absorbing greenhouse gases that drive global warming, and a new report by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) highlights the countries leading this effort. According to FAO’s Forest Emissions and Removals Global, Regional and Country Trends 1990–2025 dataset, global forests remove around 3.6 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide each year between 2021 and 2025. India has been ranked fifth among the top forest carbon sinks, with its forests absorbing an estimated 150 million tonnes of CO₂ annually.
Global Forests Remain a Crucial Carbon Buffer
The FAO report shows that the world’s forests cover about 4.14 billion hectares, roughly 32% of the planet’s land area. Despite widespread deforestation and land-use changes, these ecosystems remain among the most significant natural buffers against climate change. Between 2021 and 2025, forests globally are projected to remove approximately 3.6 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide every year, playing a critical role in offsetting emissions from fossil fuel use and industrial activities.
However, the data also reveals that global forest losses remain a persistent issue. The average rate of deforestation is estimated at 10.9 million hectares per year during 2021–2025, which, though lower than the 17.6 million hectares lost annually in the 1990–2000 period, still represents a considerable reduction in natural carbon storage capacity. This decline signals that while progress has been made, the planet’s forests continue to face immense pressure from agricultural expansion, logging, and infrastructure development.
Top Carbon Sink Countries and Their Role
According to the FAO report, the Russian Federation leads the world in forest carbon removals, absorbing around 1,150 million tonnes of CO₂ each year during 2021–2025. China ranks second, with about 840 million tonnes, followed by the United States at 410 million tonnes. Brazil holds the fourth position, while India secures fifth place, removing nearly 150 million tonnes of CO₂ annually. These figures highlight the diverse contributions of forest ecosystems across continents, from boreal forests in the north to tropical regions near the equator.
This distribution reflects both the scale of forest cover and the effectiveness of national conservation and afforestation policies. For instance, China’s massive reforestation initiatives and Russia’s vast forest landscapes contribute significantly to global removals. India’s ranking, meanwhile, reflects the success of its forest conservation programs and ongoing efforts to expand green cover under national and state-level initiatives.
India’s Contribution to Global Forest Removals
India’s forests, which cover nearly one-fourth of its land area, continue to act as a significant natural carbon sink. The FAO datasets, which show India’s annual carbon removals of around 150 million tonnes, align with the country’s broader climate goals under the Paris Agreement. Various government programs, such as the National Afforestation Programme and the Green India Mission, have played an essential role in maintaining and enhancing the forest carbon stock.
While India’s ranking among the top five forest sinks is encouraging, challenges remain. Forest degradation, human encroachment, and climate-driven disturbances such as droughts and fires pose serious risks to the stability of these ecosystems. Sustaining this carbon sink potential will require stronger protection of existing forests, scientific monitoring of carbon stocks, and the restoration of degraded lands.
The Balance Between Deforestation and Restoration
The FAO report also highlights the ongoing tension between forest conservation and deforestation. Although the rate of forest loss has declined over recent decades, millions of hectares continue to disappear each year. The balance between deforestation and restoration determines the net capacity of forests to act as carbon sinks. Large-scale restoration programs and natural regeneration have partially offset global losses, but the pace of land-use change remains high in some regions.
Countries like India, Brazil, and Indonesia are now under growing pressure to ensure that emissions from deforestation or degradation do not outweigh their forest gains. Maintaining a positive carbon balance requires a long-term commitment to sustainable forest management, stricter land-use regulations, and the inclusion of local communities in conservation efforts. Protecting forests is not just about preserving biodiversity; it directly influences the global effort to slow climate change.
References:
https://doi.org/10.4060/cd7163en
Banner image:Photo by Courtney Laws on Unsplash
