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Incorporating forest into climate change agreement
There has never been a more important time to manifest the role of forests in combating climate change. In waiting of the most prominent negotiations in 2009 leading to the UN Conference in Copenhagen, the European forest owners advocate sustainable forest management as the most efficient, lasting and “green” solution for the reduction of emissions.
 The potential of sustainably managed European forests in mitigating climate change needs to be put forward throughout the UNFCCC negotiation process, leading towards the new climate change commitments after 2012. Contrary to other parts of the world, in Europe the forest area is growing steadily. European forests are constantly producing an increasing amount of wood. This accounts for over 770 million cubic meters per year. At the same time the forests absorb the equivalent amount of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Only 60 % of this growth is harvested at present. 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.
The “three S” – principle for climate change
The forest sector’s effect on the carbon balance can be illustrated with the three S – principle: Sustainably managed forests are carbon sinks, sequestering more and more carbon in the forest biomass and in the soil, thus contributing to mitigating climate change. Carbon is also stored in wood. Wood products in turn may substitute other, more harmful products. All these offer the most efficient and “green” solution for the reduction of emissions.
The ultimate green solution
Current negotiations on the post Kyoto regime focus on reducing deforestation and forest degradation (REDD) as leading causes of global warming. Although this the obvious starting point to be dealt with, sustainably managed forests can offer much more. It has never been more important to have a united forest voice heard to achieve the true potential of forests on this.
The significant potential of forests in mitigating climate change has been recognised by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC): “In the long term, a sustainable forest management strategy aimed at mitigating or increasing carbon stocks, while producing an annual sustained yield of timber, fibre or energy from the forest, will generate the largest sustained mitigation benefit”
16 million of forest owners, whose long term commitment to sustainable forest management is evident, are ready to carry their responsibility. However, the positive contribution of Europe’s forests need to be more widely recognised and encouraged in order to enable active participation to the implementation of the UNFCCC as a whole, and the follow-up process of the Kyoto Protocol in particular. These can be achieved with the help of supportive policies enhancing the contribution of family forest owners to sustainable forest management and the harvest of wood, as a carbon neutral activity with a positive climatic effect.
Putting a united message through
The UNFCCC process becomes more crucial as time passes. It is elementally important for forest interests such as CEPF to be present and better still, to be seen and heard in it.
In order to achieve the best contribution of the forest-based sector in fighting climate change, CEPF drives for stronger exposure of private forests owners’ interests, by way of forming broad partnerships and encouraging joint activities together with member organisations.
There is no doubt this has to be of highest CEPF priority for 2009. Therefore, an adequate representation and a stronger exposure of forests owners’ goals during the most relevant debates on forests and climate change towards COP15 need to be secured.
Further information, Morten Thorøe at morten.thoroe@cepf-eu.org
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CEPF formed a partnership with PEFC International Stakeholder Forum 
Guidance for sustainable mobilization of wood in Europe