An area of forests larger than mainland France has regrown around the world since the turn of the new millennium, a new analysis suggests.

The mapping study from the Trillion Trees project found that nearly 59 million hectares (145 million acres) of forests have grown back worldwide since 2000.

This area of returning woodlands could store the equivalent of 5.9 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide, more than then annual emissions of the US, highlighting the role they could play in tackling the climate crisis, the study said.

But conservationists warn “vastly” more hectares of trees are being burned and cut down each year, and called for support for forest regeneration as part of the climate fight, as well as action to stop deforestation.

The analysis published by Trillion Trees, a joint venture between WWF, BirdLife International and WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society), looks at areas around the world where woodlands are regenerating.

They range from active restoration, where native trees and shrubs are planted, to assisted natural regeneration, where the forest is encouraged to regrow by measures such as clearing invasive species or fencing land to prevent grazing, to “spontaneous natural regeneration” where trees come back of their own accord.

The study highlights areas such as the Atlantic Forest in Brazil, where an area of 4.2 million hectares ( 10.4 million acres) has regrown since 2000, through planned efforts to restore the forest, more responsible industry practices and other factors such as people moving towards the cities.

In Mongolia’s northern boreal forests, the study suggests 1.2 million hectares of forest have regenerated in the last 20 years, thanks to conservation work by WWF and the Mongolian government’s increased emphasis on protected areas.

Central Africa and the boreal forests of Canada are also regeneration hotspots, according to the study, which examined more than 30 years of satellite data.

The study aims to help inform forest restoration projects around the world, giving a picture of where focusing action could be most beneficial.

It comes after a report from WWF earlier this year, showing that forests almost twice the size of the UK – some 43 million hectares – was destroyed in global hotspots around the world between 2004 and 2017.

William Baldwin-Cantello, director of nature-based solutions at WWF, said that to avoid dangerous climate change and reverse the loss in nature, there was a need to halt deforestation and restore natural forests.

“We’ve known for a long time that natural forest regeneration is often cheaper, richer in carbon and better for biodiversity than actively planted forests, and this research tells us where and why regeneration is happening, and how we can recreate those conditions elsewhere.

“But we can’t take this regeneration for granted – deforestation still claims millions of hectares every year, vastly more than is regenerated.

“To realise the potential of forests as a climate solution, we need support for regeneration in climate delivery plans and must tackle the drivers of deforestation, which in the UK means strong domestic laws to prevent our food causing deforestation overseas.”

John Lotspeich, executive director of Trillion Trees, said: “This map will be a valuable tool for conservationists, policymakers and funders to better understand the multiple ways we can work to increase forest cover, for the good of the planet.

“The data show the enormous potential of natural habitats to recover when given the chance to do so. But it isn’t an excuse for any of us to wait around for it to happen.”