European Commission launches public debate on protecting Europe's forests against climate change

IP/10/207
Brussels, 1st March 2010

The European Commission today adopted a Green Paper which sets out options for a European Union approach to the protection of forests and to information about forest resources and their condition. Responses to the Green Paper from the public, Member States, EU institutions and other stakeholders will guide the Commission on whether additional action is needed at EU level.

Euro pean Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik said: "Europe's forests are a precious resource that must be protected against the harmful impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss. Their wide range of social, economic and environmental functions means that the stakes are high. We need to explore what value European action can add to national efforts to safeguard forests and maintain reliable, coherent and up-to-date information about them."...

Source: European Commission launches public debate on protecting Europe's forests against climate change