The Forest Strategy, a crucial component of the EU Green Deal, recognises the central role of forests, foresters and the entire forest-based value chain for achieving by 2050 a sustainable and climate-neutral economy and for ensuring that all of ecosystems are restored, resilient, and adequately protected. 

With regard to protection and restoration, the EU Forest Strategy is coherent with the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2030 and reinforces the need to strictly protect all remaining old-growth and primary forest in Europe. IUCN fully supports this target and urges stakeholders to use our Protected Areas Management categories as a helpful tool to support designation and monitoring. Furthermore, both the Commission and Member States should ensure full ownership of the Strategy by all stakeholders, incorporating them in the implementation process from the start. 

‘Striking the right balance between protecting and restoring forests while supporting the bioeconomy through a sustainable use of managed forests will be key to achieving the goals of the Forests Strategy. IUCN stands ready to facilitate open dialogues between the different stakeholders which will be needed to contribute to the overall success of the strategy,’ said Alberto Arroyo Schnell, Head of Policy and Programme at IUCN Europe. 

The Strategy also references the importance of restoring degraded forest ecosystems and links to the upcoming legally binding restoration targets will play a key role in enhancing forest ecosystems protection in the EU. 

Over the coming months, EU ministers will have their say on the Strategy. We hope that they fully support the targets and commit to swift implementation for the benefit of people and planet. 

ENDS

Contact:
Edel Shanahan
Policy and Communications Officer
IUCN Europe