US EditionEU Urged to Act on Forests' Faltering Absorption of Carbon
EUROPEAN UNION, JUL 30 – European forests absorbed nearly 30% less carbon dioxide from 2020-2022 than 2010-2014, threatening the EU's net zero emissions goal for 2050, scientists warn.
- Scientists cautioned on Wednesday that European forests are capturing much less carbon dioxide than before, jeopardizing the European Union's efforts to meet its climate objectives.
- This decline results from increased logging, wildfires, droughts, and pest outbreaks combined with diminishing climate resilience of forests.
- Research led by the EU’s Joint Research Centre found forests absorbed about 332 million tonnes of CO2 annually but showed nearly a one-third decrease comparing 2020–2022 to 2010–2014.
- Giacomo Grassi stressed that halting the decline in European forests' carbon storage is both crucial and feasible through decisive, science-based measures, while Piers Forster highlighted the immediate necessity of reducing emissions in all sectors.
- If this trend continues, it risks undermining the EU’s climate targets dependent on increasing forest carbon sinks, increasing the need for improved forest management and emissions reduction.
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The Star Kuala Lumpur
Selangor JournalEU climate goals at risk as ailing forests absorb less CO2, scientists say
COPENHAGEN/BRUSSELS/STOCKHOLM (Reuters) -Damage to European forests from increased logging, wildfires, drought and pests is reducing their ability to absorb carbon dioxide, putting European Union emissions targets at risk, scientists warned on Wednesday.
European Forests' Struggle Threatens EU Climate Goals | Science-Environment
European Forests' Struggle Threatens EU Climate Goals European forests are facing increased pressure from excessive logging, wildfires, drought, and pests, reducing their capacity to absorb carbon dioxide. This situation jeopardizes the European Union's climate targets, as forests play a crucial role in offsetting emissions.Scientists highlight that the average annual CO2 absorption by European forests has significantly declined, nearly a third …
The crucial capacity of European forests to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere has declined over the past decade, due to wood extraction and tree ageing.
Forests are losing their capacity to extract CO2 from the air, which has consequences for climate targets, as experts from the European Commission's research centre show.
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