Liaison Office Brussels
European Forestry House
Rue du Luxembourg 66
B-1000 Bruxelles
Phone +32 2 219 02 31
Fax +32 2 219 21 91
e-mail office@cepf-eu.org

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The International Family Forestry Alliance
Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes
Eustafor - European State Forest Association
CEI-Bois, the European Confederation of woodworking industries
The Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI)
World Forestry Congress


The EU2020 strategy – what does it mean for forestry?

The European Commission launched the Europe 2020 Strategy, setting a reform agenda for the next ten years. The strategy calls for investing in smart, sustainable and inclusive green growth as mutually reinforcing priority areas. CEPF welcomes the focus put on sustainability, as the forestry sector has its roots in operating sustainability.

The European forest sector, based on the sustainable use of a renewable resource, has probably the longest history of balancing economic, ecological and social values. The multiple functions of forests and the contribution of forest based industries offer immense potential for European economic and social prosperity. Environmentally sustainable economic growth may come across as increased productivity, a reduction in emissions to fight climate change as well as an increase in the energy generated from renewable sources. Forest owners should take every opportunity to make use of these opportunities in reaching an EU carbon neutral and sustainable economy.

A new prospect for forest owners

The new EU2020 strategy indicates measurable targets and defines seven initiatives to catalyze progress under each priority theme. It makes the natural resources  - such as biodiversity, water, and forest - more important for economies and for human well-being. Climate change, renewable energy targets and resource efficiency are also included.

Meeting the priority areas in practice will require a stronger economic governance and increased coordination at the European level. The European Council has endorsed the overall approach and EU headline targets. The actual implementation of the reform will rely on the member states and regions.  The Council is foreseen to approve the Europe 2020 strategy as well as national targets in June 2010. The submission of the National Reform Programs is supposed to follow later in autumn of this year.

CEPF welcomes the focus put on sustainability and will follow the process of shaping the national contributions to the EU2020 strategy. This is a new prospect for forest owners and perpetuates the ongoing shift of focus from urban to rural areas.

Please see the EU2020 Strategy at >>>

Published by Marta Gaworska 18.04.2010