In Europe, like nowhere else, 16 million private individuals and families are taking care of more than half of the forest area. This is done with a long standing commitment to sustainable forest management, which is recognized by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) as a key to climate change mitigation.

The negotiations towards a new agreement in frame of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) put forestry at the heart of the climate change agenda. This opportunity is, however, being lost in the current institutional context and lack of political will to implement. This has resulted in only a small portion of this potential being realized at present. Especially for European forestry, provisions for forest related measures are rather limited.       The benefits of wood-based products are also yet to be taken into account more significantly.

"The European model of sustainable forest management and the achievements of European forestry in it give evidence that ordinary, well managed forests have a huge potential in combating climate change. We forest owners are ready to carry responsibility   as custodians of these forests. This requires,     in turn, greater recognition and awareness of it, particularly amongst policy makers and in the ongoing negotiation on the post Kyoto regime     in Poznan, and then later in Copenhagen”,
Mr Christer Segerstéen, President of CEPF states.

CEPF has been actively involved in numerous debates to bring across this positive message. President Christer Segerstéen gave presentations during the plenary of the first ever European Forest Week held in Rome in October. The potential of Europe’s forests in mitigating climate change was discussed during a series of policy-level meetings and panel debates also in Brussels, including the ECOSOC conference and a joint Seminar: “From forest management to wood products and paper: The unique link against climate change”.   

In addition, CEPF took up the opportunity for enhancing the visibility of family forestry at the biggest political debate on climate change UNFCCC COP14 as well as in a parallel event Forest Day 2. COP14 marked the half-way point in the negotiation process towards the new climate change commitments to replace the Kyoto Protocol after 2012. This meeting showed, however, how much still needs to be done to ensure that forests are included in the next global climate agreement.  

A year ahead of COP15 - to be held in Copenhagen - CEPF urges for joint efforts and activities towards a better understanding and recognition of the importance of forests and their sustainable management.

“In Europe, our forest area is growing steadily and our forests are generally well managed. Thus, as a sector we can be truly sustainable in our actions and our products. These offer the most efficient and “green’ solution for the reduction of emissions, thus helping countries to meet their targets. Promotion of the sustainable forest management and use of forests and wood based products has never been more crucial” Mr Segerstéen points out.

Please see also:

• CEPF position paper on climate change 
• Joint statement on the role of the forest-based sector in mitigating climate change  
  

Further information, Marta Gaworska at marta.gaworska@cepf-eu.org