Key addresses: Invasion and encroachment of woody plants into grassland and savannas is a global driver of land degradation with significant negative impacts on ecosystem services; To address the problem it is  important to understand the impact of different management options for preventing bush encroachment on mitigation; A future bush sector can upscale more emission intensive, economically viable bush control activities such charcoal or electricity generation if this is combined with other, more restoration focused activities which increase also soil fertility and resilience through soil carbon sequestration contributing to climate change adaptation.