Agroforestry-Based Carbon Credits: A Systematic Literature Review

Agroforestry offers environmental and economic benefits through carbon sequestration, helping to mitigate climate change. However, there is a lack of information on carbon credits associated with agroforestry in the literature. This study conducted a systematic literature review using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to assess the revenues generated or payments received from agroforestry-based carbon initiatives globally. The study found only 13 published papers between 2005 and 2024 in Web of Science and Scopus. None of the reviewed studies reported actual revenues from carbon credit transactions; all used economic models to estimate potential returns. The review revealed eight agroforestry systems, with tree-crop intercropping showing the highest simulated revenue (€30,000 to €3.4 million annually) and silvopastoral systems the lowest (A$184 to A$250 per ha). This study underscores the need for more empirical research to generate data on carbon credits in agroforestry, which can inform climate-smart policies and investments.