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Securing the forest carbon sink for the European Union’s climate ambition

Author

Listed:
  • Mirco Migliavacca

    (Joint Research Centre)

  • Giacomo Grassi

    (Joint Research Centre)

  • Ana Bastos

    (Leipzig University
    German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv))

  • Guido Ceccherini

    (JRC)

  • Philippe Ciais

    (Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l’Environnement CEA-CNRS-UVSQ)

  • Greet Janssens-Maenhout

    (Joint Research Centre)

  • Emanuele Lugato

    (Joint Research Centre)

  • Miguel D. Mahecha

    (Leipzig University
    German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv)
    Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ))

  • Kimberly A. Novick

    (Indiana University - Bloomington)

  • Josep Peñuelas

    (Cerdanyola del Vallès
    Global Ecology Unit CREAF-CSIC-UAB)

  • Roberto Pilli

    (Independent consultant)

  • Markus Reichstein

    (Max-Planck-Institute for Biogeochemistry)

  • Valerio Avitabile

    (JRC)

  • Pieter S. A. Beck

    (Joint Research Centre)

  • José I. Barredo

    (Joint Research Centre)

  • Giovanni Forzieri

    (University of Florence)

  • Martin Herold

    (GFZ German GeoResearch Center
    University of Potsdam)

  • Anu Korosuo

    (Joint Research Centre)

  • Nicolas Mansuy

    (Joint Research Centre
    Canadian Forest Service)

  • Sarah Mubareka

    (Joint Research Centre)

  • Rene Orth

    (University of Freiburg)

  • Paul Rougieux

    (JRC)

  • Alessandro Cescatti

    (Joint Research Centre)

Abstract

The European Union (EU) climate policies rely on a functioning forest carbon sink. Forests cover about 40% of the EU area and have absorbed about 436 Mt of carbon dioxide equivalent per year between 1990 and 2022, which is about 10% of the EU’s anthropogenic emissions. However, the ability of forests to act as carbon sinks is rapidly declining owing to increasing natural and anthropogenic pressures, threatening the EU’s climate goals and calling for prompt actions. Here we provide actionable research recommendations to improve the monitoring and modelling of forest resources and their carbon sink, and to better inform forest management decisions. We suggest a timeline for the development of these measures to better support the implementation of strategies and policies outlined in the European Green Deal.

Suggested Citation

  • Mirco Migliavacca & Giacomo Grassi & Ana Bastos & Guido Ceccherini & Philippe Ciais & Greet Janssens-Maenhout & Emanuele Lugato & Miguel D. Mahecha & Kimberly A. Novick & Josep Peñuelas & Roberto Pill, 2025. "Securing the forest carbon sink for the European Union’s climate ambition," Nature, Nature, vol. 643(8074), pages 1203-1213, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:643:y:2025:i:8074:d:10.1038_s41586-025-08967-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-08967-3
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