Forests can have a major role in the fight against climate change

Forests and the forest sector are major contributors to climate change mitigation. They can respond to climate change challenge in three ways. Forests sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, standing timber and wood products work as carbon stores and the use of wood products as well as forest-based bioenergy, instead of more environmental harmful materials, creates positive substitution effects.

Negotiations towards a new climate change treaty in Copenhagen in December 2009 under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) are progressing with full speed. These negotiations are of high importance for the whole forest sector since they are defining the role forests will have in the fight against climate change.

Nordic Family Forest Owners underlines the importance of active and sustainable forest management in the fight against climate change. Active forest management and increased use of wood products are cost-efficient ways to decrease the atmospheric CO2. Therefore the role of forests and wood products in climate change mitigation must be recognized in the forthcoming climate treaty.