Top 10 Countries With The Largest Forest Carbon Sinks (2021–25)

OT Staff & Waquar Habib

Russian Federation

Russia’s vast boreal forests remove around 1,150 MtCO₂ annually, making it the world’s largest carbon sink. Its immense forest area and natural regeneration drive global carbon absorption.

Leningrad Oblast, Russia | Unsplash

China

China absorbs about 840 MtCO₂ each year through massive afforestation and reforestation drives. Decades of tree-planting and sustainable land management make it a key global carbon sink.

The Zhangjiajie Mountains in China | long.explorer/instagram

United States of America

The US sequesters nearly 410 MtCO₂ per year across its temperate forests. Strong conservation laws and restoration programmes help offset emissions and sustain forest carbon stocks.

A shot of American forest | americanforests/instagram

Brazil

Brazil’s Amazon rainforest removes about 340 MtCO₂ annually, even amid deforestation threats. Its vast biodiversity and rainforest ecosystems remain crucial to global carbon balance and climate health.

Rainforest cover in Brazil | mattiasklumofficial/instagram

India

India captures nearly 150 MtCO₂ annually through large-scale afforestation and agroforestry schemes. Community forestry and replanting efforts are expanding green cover and supporting rural livelihoods.

Tigers in Indian forest cover | faisalmagnet/instagram

Belarus

Belarus absorbs about 150 MtCO₂ each year, supported by strong forest management, conservation, and low deforestation rates across its extensive temperate woodlands.

Green cover of Belarus | nature.nh/instagram

South Africa

South Africa sequesters roughly 50 MtCO₂ annually through plantation forests, wetland protection, and restoration initiatives that combine biodiversity goals with emission reduction strategies.

Drakensberg forests of South Africa | into_the_berg/instagram

Ghana

Ghana removes about 55 MtCO₂ per year via community forestry and tropical forest protection. Its reforestation and conservation efforts are strengthening both carbon storage and local economies.

Forest cover in Ghana | heynikeh/instagram

Republic of Korea

Korea captures close to 45 MtCO₂ annually. Decades of reforestation, urban greening, and sustainable forest policies have transformed once-barren hills into thriving carbon-absorbing landscapes.

Towangseong Falls in Seoraksan National Park, South Korea | southkorea.explores/instagram

Honduras

Honduras absorbs about 35 MtCO₂ annually, driven by mangrove restoration, reforestation, and community forest protection that help safeguard both climate and biodiversity.

A forest patch in Honduras | erikamylam/instagram

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Autumn as seen in a forest | Unsplash
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