Green Paper
The European Commission opens the consultation period on protection of European forests against climate change
The European Commission adopted on 1 March 2010 a Green Paper that presents a number of possible approaches of the European Union to forest protection as well as information of forests resources and their status. This paper raises a number of questions relevant to the general public, the Member States, EU Institutions and other stakeholders, with the aim of guiding the Commission on the development of future actions for forest protection. The answers to these questions can also provide information for debates on the possible update of the EU Forestry Strategy on climate-related issues.
The European Commission has drafted a Green Paper that:
- Identifies briefly the general situation and global relevance of forests;
- Describes the characteristics of EU forests and their functions;
- Identifies the main challenges faced by EU forests in a changing climate and how they could compromise forest functions;
- 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 a future protection of forests and to information in the EU. The responses from EU institutions, Member States, EU citizens and other stakeholders will inform and guide the considerations of the Commission regarding any additional actions at EU level to better prepare EU forests for climate change, and to enhance the fulfilment of their functions.
The document follows from a White Paper on adaptation to climate change adopted by the Commission in April 2009.
A public consultation on the Green Paper will take place from the 1 March until 31 July 2010 in this webpage. As part of the consultation the Commission will organize a workshop and a stakeholders meeting in Brussels on 3 June, as part of the Green Week. The Green paper will also be discussed in a conference on the protection of forests organized by the Spanish Presidency in Valsaín (Spain) on the 6 and 7 April.
Documents of interest:
Press release on the Green Paper
Commission staff working document accompanying the Green Paper
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