Green paper on forest protection and information in the EU: preparing forests for climate change

The purpose of this green paper is to launch the debate on options for a European Union (EU) approach to forest protection and information in the framework of the EU Forest Action Plan, as announced by the Commission in the White Paper "Adapting to Climate Change: towards a European Framework for action," which emphasized the need of mainstreaming adaptation into all relevant policies by increasing the resilience of, i.a., forests.

This green paper: (i) identifies briefly the general situation and global relevance of forests; (ii) describes the characteristics of EU forests and their functions; (iii) identifies the main challenges faced by EU forests in a changing climate and how they could compromise forest functions; and (iv) presents an overview of the tools available to ensure forest protection, and of the existing forest information systems that could be used to address the challenges and monitor environmental impacts and effects of actions.

In addition, it raises a series of questions relevant to developing options for future forest protection and information in the EU under a changing climate, and proposes measures related to the use of advisory services by forest holders contributing to promote the sustainable use of forests, increase awareness in climate change, encourage mitigation actions and assist forest holders in adaptation measures.