Exploring the role of urban nature in mitigating the climate footprint of urbanization in Ethiopia

• The urban green spaces of Hawassa offsets 4.9 % its annual total emissions. • Less fragmented green spaces with higher canopy cover enhance carbon storage. • Urban soil greatly contributed in atmospheric CO2 removal. • Green spaces in highly urbanized regions with high impervious surfaces show lower C storage. • Urban green spaces with younger trees sequester carbon at higher rates, while older trees excel in carbon storage. Urban centers in sub-Saharan Africa face climate vulnerabilities due to rapid urbanization and outdated development strategies that prioritize grey infrastructure over natural elements. In Ethiopia, urban green spaces remain underutilized despite their potential to enhance climate resilience. This study aims to explore the climate mitigation potential of green spaces in Hawassa, Ethiopia, by assessing carbon storage in trees using allometric equations within a customized i-Tree Eco model, complemented by soil and litter carbon analysis for selected parks. We collected data from stratified random sample plots across land uses, along with climate and location information to parameterize the model. Urban trees, soil, and litter carbon pools together stored 78,199 tC, mitigating 286,990.30 tCO 2 e, with carbon sequestration offsetting 4.9 % of the city’s annual emissions. The highest carbon stock was observed in soil (189.8 ± 8.5 tC ha − 1), while litter carbon was the least (1.08 ± 0.12 tC ha − 1). Hawassa’s tree carbon density (12.01 tC ha − 1) was lower than other Ethiopian cities, influenced by urbanization and methodological variations. In Hawassa, land uses with minimal impervious and greater green space exhibited the highest carbon storage. Carbon sink positively correlated with tree metrics, while urbanization had a negative effect. Spatial mappings revealed an uneven distribution of carbon stocks, with impervious areas dominating low-carbon storage regions. These findings highlight the role of green spaces in climate mitigation and the need to integrate them into spatial planning and carbon policies. Ethiopian cities must balance grey and natural elements to enhance climate resilience and achieve emissions self-sufficiency.