It is expected to be key to increasing public confidence in forest management, reducing illegal logging, incentivizing and rewarding more sustainable forest management, and supporting forest adaptation to climate change.
The Commission has today launched an online public consultation on the forthcoming legislative proposal for a new EU framework for forest monitoring and strategic plans, as foreseen in the EU Forest Strategy 2030. The aim is to develop a pan-European framework for forest observation, which will provide open access to detailed, accurate, regular and timely information on the state and management of EU forests.
The Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Mr Virginius Sinkevičius, said: “Our forests are under enormous pressure. We all witnessed the forest fires this summer. In addition to climate change, forests are also suffering from biodiversity loss, increased land use, pests and intensification of logging. But they also play a key role in addressing these challenges. This new initiative on forest monitoring and strategic plans will ensure the availability of timely and accurate information on EU forests so that policy makers, foresters and land managers are able to take swift and decisive action to deal with new pressures on forests.”
In addition to improving forest monitoring, the information gathered through forest observation will lead to more data-driven forest decision-making.
It is expected to be key to increasing public confidence in forest management, reducing illegal logging, incentivizing and rewarding more sustainable forest management, and supporting forest adaptation to climate change. This initiative will also help create a Europe ready for the digital age by empowering citizens, businesses and administrations by providing access to harmonized forest data and making better use of digital technologies.
According to the European Green Deal, action must be taken to improve the quantity and quality of forests in the European Union so that the EU can achieve its goal of climate neutrality and creating a healthy environment. The new EU forest strategy for 2030 set out the vision for effective afforestation, conservation and restoration of forests in Europe. All interested parties are invited to share their views in the online public consultation which will run until 17 November.
Lena Flitzani
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