Europe is one of the most forest-rich regions in the world: around 40% of its land area is covered by this ecosystem. Forests are essential for our health and wellbeing, and the health of the planet. They are rich in biodiversity and are hugely important in the fight against climate change. The EU is aware of the role forests can play in our future. That is why - in 2021 - the new Forest Strategy for 2030 was adopted.

The EU forest strategy for 2030

Worldwide, forests are being lost at an alarming rate: the equivalent of 800 football fields per hour. As deforestation is a critical contributor to climate change and a leading cause of biodiversity loss, it is becoming increasingly clear that a sustainable future cannot be achieved without tackling deforestation, and we also need to take measures to protect and sustainably manage forests. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that 420 million hectares of forest — an area larger than the EU — were lost to deforestation between 1990 and 2020. EU consumption is estimated to be responsible for around 10 % of global deforestation.

forest conservation

Photos

Photosets

Audios

Media published for this tag

1

Photosets

2

Audios

27

Photos