Reintroducing Wolves to Scottish Highlands Could Capture 1 Million Tons of CO2 Annually

A University of Leeds study suggests wolves could reduce red deer populations, enabling woodland regeneration and aiding climate targets.

Reintroducing wolves to the Scottish Highlands could help restore native woodlands by controlling red deer populations, which currently hinder tree regeneration.
The study estimates that a population of about 167 wolves could allow trees to regrow, potentially capturing 1 million metric tons of CO2 annually—5% of the UK's woodland carbon removal target.
Each wolf could contribute to an annual CO2 uptake of approximately 6,080 metric tons, valued at £154,000 per wolf under current carbon pricing.
Scotland's native woodland coverage is currently among the lowest in Europe at just 4%, largely due to overgrazing by red deer, whose population has surged to around 400,000.
While promising, the proposal faces challenges, including concerns from farmers and rural communities about livestock safety and human-wildlife conflicts.