Planting trees is widely seen as one of the most effective ways to fight climate change but new research shows that the benefits vary greatly depending on where they grow.
A study published in the journal npj Climate Action has found that tropical regions deliver the strongest cooling effect when trees are planted. In contrast, in higher latitudes such as parts of Europe or North America trees may sometimes contribute slightly to warming rather than cooling.
Why Tropics Matter More
Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air, helping reduce greenhouse gases. But the new study highlights another key factor trees also release water vapour, which absorbs solar energy and reduces the sunlight reaching the Earth’s surface. This strengthens the cooling effect, particularly in humid, tropical zones.
In some cases, trees can even suppress the risk of wildfires, adding another layer of climate protection. However, outside the tropics, the benefits can be weaker, and in colder regions with snow cover, dark tree canopies may trap heat instead of reflecting it, leading to minor warming.
Rethinking Global Plantation Efforts
The findings suggest that while tree planting remains vital for tackling climate change, global strategies must be location-specific. Large-scale plantation drives will have the most impact if they are focused on tropical countries, where the ecological and climate benefits are maximised.
The study reinforces that nature-based solutions are powerful, but effectiveness depends on science-led planning rather than one-size-fits-all approaches.