Indicate which actions have been carried out to implement this Resolution :
Convene stakeholders/Networking
Policy influencing/advocacy
Scientific/technical activities
Describe the results/achievements of the actions taken:
The French National Committee of IUCN had, as summarized in an earlier activity report, actively contributed to the Assises de la forêt et du bois to support the protection of ancient forests, in accordance with the European biodiversity strategy. At the conclusion of its Assises by the MTE and the MAA, a national action plan on the network of old wood and on subnatural forests was launched, including work on mapping spaces and scientific analysis of needs (methodology, definition and characterization criteria) involving representatives of public and private forest owners, NGOs and scientists (in connection with the National Strategy for Protected Areas launched in 2021).
Over the past year, Wild Europe Foundation has been particularly active in the implementation of this resolution, and has provided the following update for 2023:
The advocacy process on EU level resulted in publishing (a) an EU guideline which included the EU definition of old-growth forest and (b) JRC publishing an old-growth forest map. The EU guideline suggests strict protection meaning in many cases especially in the case of old-growth forest no-intervention (aka wilderness) management. Wild Europe Foundation in cooperation with various research organisations contributed to a research publication with the Europe-wide Old-Growth Forest database (Sabatini et al 2021: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41597-021-00988-7).
There are some advocacy successes to decrease the pressure on existing old-growth forests, for instance:
- the updated Renewable Energy Directive includes provision which forbids sourcing timber for energy purposes from old-growth forests
- the EU Deforestation Regulation forbids sourcing timber if it leads to decreasing forest naturalness
What challenges/obstacles have been encountered in the implementation of this Resolution and how were they overcome :
Apart from some discussions between key European actors and the secretariat, up until last year, based on the activity reports submitted, it seemed that the majority of the implementation effort had been carried out by the French National Committee of IUCN, but this is no longer the case.
For 2023, Wild Europe Foundation reported that, on a policy level, we need to tackle the arguments that strict protection does not necessarily mean non-intervention management. Wild Europe Foundation would like to refer to the relevant IUCN categories (Ia, Ib and II) and promote them as a way to manage old-growth forests in Europe.
Briefly describe what future actions are needed for the implementation of this Resolution:
The work on this resolution is in full implementation. Expected activities from the DG, as mentioned in the resolution text, are to “secure an agreement on a practical understanding relevant for all regions of Europe” and “catalyse completion of a comprehensive map of primary and old-growth forests across Europe” (Activity 1). Further activities for State Members include to “set the strict protection of primary and old-growth forests as a goal for the European Green Deal and promote its implementation” and “support the creation of warning systems” and “assess and promote protection in perpetuity” (Activity 2), and “prohibit timber sourcing from primary and old-growth forests” (with some exceptions) and “ensure the protection of these forests (…) through regulatory means” and “catalyse protection and restoration efforts for primary and old-growth forests” (Activity 3).
For 2023, Wild Europe Foundation outlined that next steps can include not only implementation in the EU but also linking to UNESCO WH sites especially to the Beech forest network. Promoting IUCN Category Ia, Ib and II as a way to manage existing old-growth forests and increase old-growthness in Europe’s forests. The CBD GBF Target 2 (30% degraded ecosystem under effective restoration efforts by 2030) and the EU Nature Restoration Law, which includes forest habitats as well, provide the policy framework to restore naturalness of forests across Europe. There are good cases like Slovakia’s commitment to 75% rule in its national park, FCC in Romania setting up its private forest reserve. These examples are to be collected in a report. An early warning system is to be implemented in order to halt further loss of old-growth forests in Europe. The concept has already been developed by Wild Europe Foundation (see: https://www.wildeurope.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/LEAF-network-6.pdf)
Are these actions planned for yet:
