Green Strategies: How European Forests Can Help Fight Climate Change

Europe aims to be climate neutral by 2050. One key strategy is carbon farming—using forests to store more carbon. But how can this be achieved effectively?

Methods of Carbon Farming

1. Afforestation

• Planting trees on land that was not previously forested.
• Best for short-term carbon storage.
• Not always practical or possible everywhere.

2. Agroforestry

• Growing trees alongside crops.
• Helps store carbon in the soil over the long term.
• Not a quick fix—takes time to see benefits.

3. Peatlands

• Wetlands that store large amounts of carbon.
• Draining peatlands releases carbon.
• Rewetting them can restore their carbon-storing ability.
• A great long-term solution.

Risks and Considerations

• Unmanaged forests can store more carbon but may become a fire risk.
• Harvesting trees improperly can lead to carbon loss when they die.
• Permanence is crucial—ensuring stored carbon stays stored.
• Leakage must be avoided—carbon farming should not cause problems elsewhere.
• Additionality is important—carbon farming should not replace existing sustainable practices.

Conclusion

The best approach to carbon farming depends on:

• Type of forest
• Climate
• Specific risks

Each forest must be studied individually to determine the most effective strategy.