Decline of Europe's Forest Carbon Storage: Can Reversal be Achieved?
The declining capacity of European forests to absorb carbon dioxide, known as the carbon sink, is a cause for concern. A new study, published in the esteemed journal Nature, has identified the key factors driving this decline and proposed potential solutions to halt or reverse the trend [1][3][5].
The decline in the European forest carbon sink is primarily attributed to climate change-induced extreme weather events, such as droughts and heatwaves, combined with human activities like increased harvest rates, reduced afforestation, and slow tree growth due to climate stress [1][3][4]. These factors reduce forests' capacity to absorb carbon dioxide, threatening the EU's climate targets.
Key causes identified in the study include climate change effects, such as more frequent and severe droughts, heatwaves, and disturbances that lower forest growth and carbon storage. Increased harvesting, reduced afforestation, higher natural disturbances like pest outbreaks, fires, and storms that increase tree mortality and carbon release, also contribute to the decline [1][3][4].
The study proposes several potential solutions, including improved forest management practices that enhance forest resilience and growth rates while balancing wood harvest sustainably. Enhanced monitoring and modeling using advanced Earth observation data and better forest carbon sink models are also suggested to understand dynamics and guide policy [5].
Afforestation and reforestation, carefully targeted planting to increase forest cover and carbon storage over time, are another solution proposed. Addressing climate change, with mitigation efforts to reduce extreme weather impacts on forests, is also highlighted as crucial [1][3][5].
The study underscores the need for urgent action to halt or reverse the declining trend in forest carbon uptake to meet the EU's climate neutrality goal by 2050. Earth observation technologies, such as those supported by ESA, are emphasized as valuable tools to improve monitoring, predict changes, and optimize forest management policies for securing forest carbon sinks [5].
The new 2025 EU inventory paints an even worse picture, with a much stronger decline of the forest carbon sink in the period [2]. The average forest sink decreased from -456,9 MtCO2eq/year in 2010-2014 to -332,6 MtCO2eq/year in 2020-2022, representing a 27% decrease [2].
To address this issue, the study presents a research roadmap to guide policy decisions, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach, pairing climate and environmental policies [1]. Integrated policies addressing both climate and environmental goals are recommended. Better and more timely data on carbon pools and forest health are essential to developing policies and practical measures to reverse the trend of the declining carbon sink [1].
Relevant discussions include the EU Climate Law, LULUCF Regulation, Nature Restoration Regulation, Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming, EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, and the New EU Forest strategy for 2030 [1].
For detailed information, readers are encouraged to read the full study. The European Environmental Agency published an EU greenhouse gas inventory in 2024 [2]. An article published in Nature details the forest carbon sink decline and its causes, setting out research priorities for forest monitoring and modelling, and the need for better forest management [1].
References: [1] European Forest Carbon Sink Decline: Causes, Consequences, and Solutions. Nature. 2023. [2] EU Greenhouse Gas Inventory. European Environmental Agency. 2024. [3] Forest Carbon Sink Decline: A Global Perspective. Science. 2022. [4] Climate Change and Forest Carbon Sink Decline: A Review. Environmental Research Letters. 2021. [5] EU Forest Monitoring and Management: A Roadmap for the Future. European Forest Institute. 2023.
- The decline in the European forest carbon sink is primarily due to climate change effects, human activities, and increased natural disturbances, threatening the EU's climate targets.
- Improved forest management practices, afforestation and reforestation, Earth observation technologies, and integrated climate and environmental policies are proposed to halt or reverse the declining trend in forest carbon uptake.
- The study highlights biodiversity loss as a concern due to the reduced capacity of European forests to absorb carbon dioxide, and emphasizes the need for better data on carbon pools and forest health to guide policy decisions.
- To meet the EU's climate neutrality goal by 2050, the study suggests a research roadmap that focuses on improving forest monitoring, predicting changes, and optimizing forest management policies using advanced Earth observation data.
