A new role for forests and the forest sector in the EU post-2020 climate targets

Joensuu

2015

32 S.

Bandaufführung

17490

202563

European forests and the forest-based sector are already contributing significantly to climate change mitigation and substitution, amounting to some 13% of EU emissions. They have the potential to contribute more – even up to an additional 9% – through Climate Smart Forestry. This is an approach which mainstreams climate mitigation by using forests and the forest sector, and related policies and measures in a way which makes use of the different regional characteristics and circumstances of the EU Member States.Summary; Purpose and background: time for a fresh look at forest sinks; Forests and the forest sector in international and EU climate policy; International climate policy; EU climate policy; Climate change mitigation: a systems understanding; The role of EU forests in the current EU greenhouse gas balance; More knowledge about EU forests is available; Current significance of EU forests; Variety across EU Member States creates opportunities; Opportunities for Climate Smart Forestry; The future of the sink in European forests; How could Climate Smart Forestry strengthen the sink? Towards a new role for EU forests and the forest sector in the climate regime; The EU policy framework on LULUCF post-2020; . Inclusion of EU forests and the EU forest sector in post-2020 targets via Climate Smart Forestry; Climate Smart Forestry examples: incentives based on synergies ; Policy implicationsEU forests and the forest sector play a significant role in the EU greenhouse gas balance. These forests and their products reduce emissions, enhance sinks, store carbon and provide a continuous stream of ecosystem services, including wood products, energy and biodiversity conservation. In all their variety, it is estimated that EU forests and the forest sector currently produce an overall climate mitigation impact that amounts to about 13% of the total EU emissions. This includes both the action of forests and harvested wood products as a carbon sink and carbon stock, and the substitution effect of forest products for fossil-based raw materials and products.