January 2026 Newsletter

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.

A new Land-Based Net Carbon Inventory report 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.

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.

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. 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.

Recommendations outlined in the study 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.