How Carbon Credits Could Help Clear South Africa’s Invasive Trees

A new report sheds light on an unexpected ally in South Africa’s fight against invasive alien trees: carbon credits. According to research published by the Commonwealth Forestry Association, applying carbon pricing to biomass value chains could make invasive species removal financially viable—while also advancing renewable energy targets.

Biomass from invasive trees in the foreground, with logs, wood chips, and workers visible in a South African forest in the background. AI generated picture.

Invasive trees have long posed environmental and economic challenges, straining ecosystems and draining water resources. However, efforts to clear them often fall short due to limited funding. The new study suggests that monetising the resulting biomass through carbon markets could help fill that gap.

‘Eligibility depends on standards as their approach and criteria differ, yet the trend is supportive,’ the report states. It also highlights that some carbon credit standards are increasingly open to recognising invasive species clearance as a legitimate offset activity—provided the operations are sustainable.

The study focused on three biomass applications: biochar, household charcoal, and wood chips for industrial steam. Of these, biochar stands out due to its ability to generate high-value carbon removal credits.

‘Biochar… could ensure profitability even with very low biochar market prices, which is possibly a game changer to support biochar production in a context where willingness to pay by farmers/users remains low,’ the authors said.

Carbon incentives could potentially account for up to 20% of a product’s final value. That margin could allow project developers to invest more into sustainable biomass supply, with estimates showing an increase of up to 95% in what suppliers can afford to pay, depending on market dynamics.

Importantly, this strategy could also contribute to South Africa’s clean energy ambitions. Transforming invasive biomass into low-emission fuels supports the country’s Paris Agreement commitments, all while unlocking eligibility for carbon credits in value chains that had previously been overlooked.

‘This would provide the means to supply biomass at scale and sustain both an energy transition and the large-scale production of biochar while leading to an eligibility of associated value chains to issue carbon credits,’ the report concludes.