Strengthening Carbon Financing for Grassland Management in the People's Republic of China: Potential Carbon Markets

Carbon emissions trading markets are one of the main policy mechanisms of the People's Republic of China (PRC) to encourage the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Grasslands cover 40% of the PRC's land area, and these contain large amounts of carbon. Restoration and sustainable management of these grasslands have large greenhouse gas mitigation potential. This publication assesses the potential of carbon market mechanisms to support the achievement of grassland policy objectives. It also reviews the state of national policy regarding climate change mitigation, particularly carbon markets, and outlines opportunities and challenges in producing carbon offsets from grasslands.