Climate scientists reopen a contentious question: What counts as a valid carbon offset?

A new study suggests temporary carbon storage may have a legitimate role in climate mitigation — though not in the way many carbon markets assumed.

The World Bank says direct carbon pricing policies now cover 29% of global greenhouse gas emissions. (Gustav Gullstrand/Unsplash)

For years, climate negotiators and carbon market regulators have treated temporary carbon storage with suspicion.

Trees burn. Soils degrade. Wood products decay. Carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere for a few decades does…