Forests should be used for combating climate change
The Nordic Ministers of Forestry have appealed for the use of
forests in combating climate change. Ministers highlight the importance
of improved forest management and increased use of wood-based products
in the fight against climate change.
In
the statement of the Ministers of Forestry of the Nordic countries
published on 20 August ministers appealed for increased sustainable
production of biomass in forests. Forests constitute an excellent tool
for restraining climate change. Forest management should be intensified
in order to increase the use of wood in various forms and thus bind
carbon in the whole value chain from forests to products. The Nordic
countries should actively involve in developing sustainable criteria
for Europe, for example for the use wood as biofuel.
The Ministers emphasized the importance of a more active debate in the
forestry sector concerning the climate change. The warming climate
already constitutes new challenges for forests and trees to adapt to
the new environment. Good quality saplings and seeds are becoming more
and more important because the lifecycle of trees is very long.
The Ministers expressed their opinion that common top quality Nordic
research and innovations are necessary to enable participation in
research projects on international level. The Ministers also thought
that forests are a very important factor for securing biodiversity, as
well as for combating erosion in some countries. Good forest management
on local level will also secure clean water.
The Ministers also emphasized that forests have a great role to play in
improving general welfare. Viable forestry must be further developed in
order to secure competitiveness in Nordic countries.
The Nordic Ministers of Forestry have appealed for the use of
forests in combating climate change. Ministers highlight the importance
of improved forest management and increased use of wood-based products
in the fight against climate change.
