Carbon farming in the European forestry sector

This report analyses available practices using the four QU.A.L.ITY criteria established by the EU: quantification (carbon removal must be accurately measured), additionality (carbon removal must go beyond standard practices), long-term storage (carbon must be removed at least for five years) and sustainability (multifunctionality, climatic resilience, biodiversity, etc.). These management practices must avoid leakage (transfer of activities resulting in carbon emissions elsewhere).

All of these practices must be carefully tailored to local climatic and forest conditions to balance the potential carbon benefits with the risks of carbon losses due to natural disturbances. These practices not only contribute to carbon sequestration but can also improve forest health, biodiversity and overall ecosystem resilience. 

Citation

Chiti, T., Rey, A., Abildtrup, J., Böttcher, H., Diaci, J., Frings, O., Lehtonen, A., Schindlbacher, A., Zavala, M.A. 2024. Carbon farming in the European forestry sector. From Science to Policy 17. European Forest Institute. https://doi.org/10.36333/fs17 

Number of pages: 88

ISSN 2343-1229 (print)
ISSN 2343-1237 (online)
ISBN 978-952-7426-90-6 (print)
ISBN 978-952-7426-91-3 (online)