EU guidance on supporting tree-planting and protecting old-growth forests

April 19, 2023

Primary and old-growth forests are some of the EU’s richest ecosystems. They store significant carbon stocks, and are of paramount importance for biodiversity and the provision of multiple ecosystem services. They provide a habitat for many of the EU’s endangered and endemic species, and are also prime examples of our natural heritage. In the EU today, these forest areas are rare, often small, and fragmented.

In light of these trends, Europe’s agroforestry policy has been significantly enhanced in recent years, particularly in the context of its Green Deal. In May 2020, the Commission published the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. This defined the objective of defining, mapping, monitoring and strictly protecting all the EU’s remaining primary and old-growth forests. In July 2021, the EU published its New Forest Strategy for 2030, as well as further research and studies carried out in coordination with the European Forest Institute (EFI).

In March 2023, the Commission published two sets of guidelines to support the implementation of its New Forest Strategy. The first set of guidelines, covering Biodiversity-Friendly Afforestation, Reforestation and Tree Planting, provide a set of practical recommendations to support authorities, forest and landowners, and managers and civil society to better implement biodiversity-friendly afforestation, reforestation and tree-planting projects including at the local level. Specifically, the guidelines:

• Describe the principles and objectives of biodiversity-friendly afforestation, reforestation and tree planting, including both forest ecosystems and urban ecosystems;

• Provide guidance on how to identify suitable tree-planting sites and tree species, including recommendations for evaluating biodiversity, habitat types and soil types; and

• Propose management approaches that promote forest health and conservation of biodiversity, including monitoring of afforestation and reforestation on ecosystems.

The second set of guidelines, on Defining, Mapping, Monitoring and Strictly Protecting EU Primary and Old-Growth Forests, provide practical guidance to national policy- and decision-makers that will allow them to effectively identify and protect remaining primary and old-growth forest in the EU. Specifically, the guidelines:

• Describe the main criteria necessary to differentiate primary and old-growth forests, including naturalness, stand age, canopy structure and tree species diversity;

• Provide guidance on forestry activities that should be avoided or restricted in primary and old-growth forests to ensure maximum conservation of biodiversity; and

• Propose best practices for monitoring primary and old-growth forests, including the use of remote sensing techniques.

In additional to technical recommendations, the guidelines also provide a selection of case studies, highlighting projects that have been successful in various EU countries.

Overall, the EU’s New Forest Strategy has set in place a comprehensive framework to support biodiversity-friendly afforestation, reforestation, and tree-planting projects, as well as in conserving primary and old-growth forests. While policy measures provide an important framework for coordination, action by companies, associations, national and regional authorities, schools and other stakeholders is also needed to ensure that the guidelines are widely applied. How can each of these groups use the guidelines in practice?

Companies can begin by aligning their operational activities with the objectives of biodiversity, forestry and sustainability. This means identifying suitable sites and tree species, implementing reforestation projects and monitoring the impacts of their activities on forest ecosystems. Reforestation and biodiversity projects such as those contemplated in the guidelines can form part of a broader nature-based sustainability program, offering companies an opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability.

Equally, landowners can work together to implement sustainable forestry practices and conserve primary and old-growth forests on their land. This means identifying primary and old-growth forests on their land, evaluating which activities are appropriate for these forests, implementing systems to protect these forests and generally and conserve the natural richness of these ecosystems. Schools and universities can also implement projects to create or restore urban forests, such as the planting of trees on school grounds. This not only helps to support biodiversity and tree-planting objectives but can also help to create a more pleasant environment that is conducive to health, well-being and learning.

Finally, civil society groups, including NGOs and environmental activists, can use continue to work towards develop solutions - both traditional and innovative - to support the conservation of biodiversity, afforestation and reforestation. This also includes raising awareness and engaging the public in initiatives that strive to conserve forests and protect forest biodiversity.

Together with its partners, VIVACE is pleased to support various stakeholders in implementing their tree-planting and old forest protection programs. Please reach out for more information.

CPM