Carbon Offset Cost Comparison

There are various approaches to carbon dioxide (CO ₂) removal, each differing in cost, scalability, and environmental impact. At Forest4Future, we have chosen afforestation with native deciduous trees due to its longevity, natural integration, and co-benefits for biodiversity and ecosystems. Below is a comparison of several carbon removal methods

Forest4Future: Native Deciduous Tree Planting

Cost per ton of CO₂ removed: $23-$90

Method: Planting and maintaining native oak, chestnut, and beech trees. CO₂ Sequestration: Each oak tree can sequester approximately 3.8 tons of CO₂ over its 150-year lifespan. Lifetime Value: At $23–$90 per ton, this equates to $87–$342 per tree.

Advantages: Provides long-term carbon storage, enhances biodiversity, and restores natural habitats.

Direct Air Capture (DAC)

Cost per ton of CO₂ removed: $100-$600

Method: Utilizes advanced technology to extract CO₂ directly from the atmosphere.

Advantages: Precise and measurable CO₂ removal.

Challenges: High energy requirements and costs; limited scalability at present.

Biochar

Cost per ton of CO₂ removed: $30 - $120

Method: Converting organic waste into stable, carbon-rich charcoal (biochar) that is added to soils.

Advantages: Improves soil health and fertility; provides durable carbon storage.

Challenges: Requires sustainable biomass sources and careful management to ensure permanence.

Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW)

Cost per ton of CO₂ removed: $60 - $250

Method: Spreading finely ground silicate rocks (e.g., basalt) on land to chemically bind CO₂.

Advantages: Potential for large-scale deployment; co-benefits for soil health.

Challenges: Energy-intensive processing and transportation; long-term effectiveness still under study.

Soil Carbon Sequestration)

Cost per ton of CO₂ removed: $0 - $100

Method: Adopting agricultural practices that increase organic carbon in soils (e.g., cover cropping, reduced tillage).

Advantages: Enhances soil fertility and agricultural productivity.

Challenges: Carbon storage can be reversible; effectiveness varies with practices and conditions

Why Forest4Future Stands Out

Forest4Future takes a long-term, nature-based approach to carbon removal by planting native, long-lived deciduous trees and protecting them from commercial logging. This ensures effective carbon sequestration and the creation of thriving ecosystems that support biodiversity. Over an average lifespan of 150 years, each oak tree we plant is estimated to sequester around 3.8 tons of CO₂. Based on MIT research, this results in a per-tree value of $87 to $342. In comparison, removing a similar amount of CO₂ through direct air capture technology would cost between $350 and $2,100. Forest4Future is a long-term, regenerative solution—significantly more cost-effective and ecologically impactful than many high-tech alternatives. By investing in nature, we create lasting climate benefits and living forests for generations to come.

- MIT Climate Portal: Supply Curve for Forest-Based CO₂ Removal: https://climate.mit.edu/posts/supply-curve-forest-based-co2-removal
- World Resources Institute: Direct Air Capture Resource Considerations and Costs: https://www.wri.org/research/direct-air-capture-resource-considerations-and-costs
- Nature Communications: Negative Emission Potential of Biochar: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-70300-5
- Yale Center for Natural Carbon Capture: Enhanced Weathering Research Update: https://naturalcarboncapture.yale.edu/research/soil-carbon-sequestration
- American University: Soil Carbon Sequestration Fact Sheet: https://www.american.edu/sis/centers/carbon-removal/upload/icrlp_fact_sheet_soil_carbon_2020_update.pdf