New Reports Highlight Importance of Oregon Lands for Climate Mitigation and Workforce Needs to Support Natural Climate Solutions

Media Contact: Jennifer Kalez

SALEM – Two new reports published by the Oregon Department of Energy in coordination with the Oregon Climate Action Commission highlight how Oregon's lands support climate mitigation efforts and the Oregon workforce needs that could bolster efforts to meet the state’s climate goals.

Land-Based Net Carbon Inventory

ODOE worked with a group of experts from the Greenhouse Gas Management Institute and its subcontractors, Silvestrum Climate Associates and Sierra View Solutions, to develop a new Land-Based Net Carbon Inventory report that outlines the greenhouse gas emissions and carbon removals across Oregon lands, including forests, grasslands, croplands, developed lands, wetlands, and biomass burning, which includes wildfires and prescribed burns. Data analysis from 1990 to 2024 estimates that Oregon’s land is an overall carbon “sink,” meaning it removes more carbon from the atmosphere than it emits, though the amount of carbon that lands remove annually has declined since 1990.

Forest lands provide the greatest benefit, or highest amount of carbon removals, among the land types. Grasslands also provided a substantial carbon benefit in most years. Emissions from wildfires have increased since 1990, and particularly over the last decade.

ODOE worked with the OCAC, an OCAC-appointed advisory committee, and other state agencies to create this first-ever inventory that will provide the state, decision-makers, and the public a better understanding of how changes in Oregon’s lands have affected greenhouse gas emissions and removals over the last 35 years. With the baseline understanding provided by this work, Oregon is better equipped to conduct analyses that inform natural climate solutions and scenario planning for land protection and management. Natural climate solutions use nature-based actions to increase carbon sequestration and storage in natural and working lands.

“This new inventory shows us the important role Oregon’s natural and working lands can play to help Oregon meet our climate goals,” said Catherine Macdonald, Oregon Climate Action Commission Chair. “The state can build on this work by investing more in action that  restore and manage natural and working lands to increase sequestration and protect lands that are already working hard to store carbon.”

Natural Climate Solutions Workforce Development and Training Programs Needs Study

A complementary study on workforce development and training needs for natural climate solutions looked at the specific workforce skills, training and education, and resources Oregon needs to support the adoption of natural climate solutions on natural and working lands. Natural climate solutions enhance or protect carbon sequestration and storage, and maintain or increase ecosystem function and community wellness. Information and recommendations in the study follow work already underway through the Natural and Working Lands Fund, which supports investments in natural climate solutions across the state.

According to the study, there are nearly 130,000 natural climate solutions-related jobs already in Oregon, and natural climate solutions-related industries are growing, with opportunities for additional training and engagement with workers. There is also an opportunity to partner with, support, invest in, and prioritize a Tribal-led natural climate solutions workforce. Expansion of the natural climate solutions will have outsized benefits to rural economies and rural workforces in Oregon.

ODOE worked closely with its contractor Estolano Advisors, and subcontractors ECOnorthwest and Kimímela Consulting, to develop a set of recommendations included in the study that spans potential actions by Tribal, state, and local governments, workforce partners, nonprofits, and the private sector. Recommendations address contracting and procurement improvements; recruitment and hiring efforts; training and advancement; and metrics, monitoring, and accountability measures. Some recommendations may need legislative action but many could be advanced with organizational and administrative changes within existing programs.

“The recommendations outlined in this new study would help strengthen the natural climate solutions workforce across the state,” said Oregon Department of Energy Director Janine Benner. “Working together, Oregon can support partnerships, training, and resources that make sure quality jobs in this industry are accessible to diverse workers.”

Learn more about natural climate solutions and read both reports on ODOE’s website: https://www.oregon.gov/energy/energy-oregon/Pages/NaturalClimateSolutions.aspx