With more EU rules related to forests and forestry, the need for reliable and comparable information on EU countries' forests is increasing. On Wednesday 5 April, the European Commission presented a proposal for a forest monitoring framework where member states will collect and share data on their forests.
- "We need the best possible knowledge about the state of forests," said Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevicius at a press conference. "We need to know how they are developing and how they are responding to climate change. There are currently no comprehensive monitoring requirements that provide an overall picture of the state of our forests."
Better deal for forest owners
Data will be collected through the EU's satellite system and through the forest inventories already carried out by Member States. The data will be comparable and public. More comprehensive data will make it easier to monitor and combat forest fires or bark beetle outbreaks, for example. A more harmonised regulatory framework would also, according to the European Commission, benefit all EU legislation affecting forests and forestry, such as LULUCF (which aims to increase the carbon sink in forests) and the Renewable Energy Directive (which sets rules for the use of woody biomass).
Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra highlighted the benefits for forest owners of better data if they want to participate in the carbon offset certificate market that is being set up in the EU.
- This will help forest owners earn money with carbon removals that are verified and certified.
No requirement for forest plans
When the European Commission first announced that a proposal on forest monitoring was on the way, the working title included 'strategic plans'. This led some to worry that there would be requirements on how national forest plans should be designed. Mr Sinkevicius assured them that the Commission would not interfere.
- But we have the 2030 Biodiversity Strategy, we have the carbon sink legislation, we have the Habitats Directive. All of these are important elements for member states to implement and this proposal can only help and strengthen them in that endeavour.
