The Newsletter of the Liaison Unit Oslo updates on the preparations for the upcoming FOREST EUROPE Expert Level Meeting, which will be held on 14-15 December in Geneva, Switzerland. Countries' representatives and participants will discuss the topics for the next Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe on 14-16 June 2011 in Oslo, Norway. They will also guide how to prepare for the commitments to be made at the Ministerial Conference. It is expected that ministers, alongside other subjects, will consider ways to strengthen cooperation; one possibility is to open negotions on a legally binding agreement. This issue updates on the results and comprehensive technical papers, which have been prepared by two subsequent FOREST EUROPE working groups to facilitate national and regional consultations on a legal agreement.

The Ministerial Conference next year will be a major contribution to the International Year of Forests, which aims to raise awareness to strengthen sustainable forest management and benefits from forests. FOREST EUROPE together with its participating countries, stakeholders and partners will jointly promote this global initiative, national events and the FOREST EUROPE Ministerial Conference.

This newsletter also informs on the new Biodiversity 2020 Targets, which where recently adopted at COP 10 of the Convention on Biological Diversity in Nagoya, Japan. FOREST EUROPE has assessed how sustainable forest mangement in Europe contributes to forest biodiversity in preparation for COP 10 and published the outcome of this assessement. We would also like to highlight the newest communications tools and publications from FOREST EUROPE.

Read the FOREST EUROPE Newsletter

The results of the working group consist of documents, which are relevant for the future preparation towards the next FOREST EUROPE Ministerial Conference, which will be held on 14-16 June 2011, in Oslo, Norway.

The working group has elaborated the following documents: Non-paper on a possible legally binding agreement on forests in Europe; Technical background for a ministerial decision on negotiating a legally binding agreement on forests in Europe; Draft Oslo decision on opening negotiations on a legally binding agreement on forests in Europe; Consideration of possible Rules of Procedure for the Negotiating Committee to prepare a legally binding agreement on forests in Europe.

These documents do not reflect any specific political positions of the working group members with regard to the issue of a legally binding agreement on forests in Europe.

For more information, please contact Ms. Malgorzata Briggs

The share at presented harvested in Europe’s forests is below the sustainable level of removal, so more wood can be mobilised sustainably. In addition, substantial amounts of used wood can be recovered and used again, in a final stage as green energy. The brochure highlights that wood mobilisation is required to meet the ambitious targets for renewable energy in Europe. This is one way how forest resources can contribute to mitigating climate change. Enhancing utilisation of wood and replacing products with higher greenhouse gas emissions by this renewable resource, will further support society in lowering carbon emissions. More wood in lasting products will additionally increase carbon storage and contribute to diminish greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere.

All mobilisation efforts should follow accepted principles of sustainability. The brochure provides examples of concrete measures with promising mobilisation potentials. The brochure is a compact presentation of the report "Good practice guidance on sustainable mobilisation of wood in Europe", published in March 2010 by the European Commission, Agriculture and Rural Development, FOREST EUROPE and UNECE/FAO. The publications have been elaborated as tools for policy-makers and practitioners in taking appropriate measures. They both build on good-practice examples identified at the workshop on “Strategies for increased wood mobilisation from sustainable sources” held in Grenoble, France, in June 2009. The workshop was co-organised by FOREST EUROPE, the French Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, UNECE/FAO, CEPF, CEPI, COPA-COGECA, ENFE, EFI, EUSTAFOR and CEMAGREF.

The brochure as well as the full report, can be downloaded or ordered free of charge via our website www.foresteurope.org/Publications

The analysis demonstrates that FOREST EUROPE has addressed the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity and helped to transmit global provisions on forest biodiversity to the European level. In particular, regional activities have been carried out to implement the ecosystem approach in forests. This strategy has been elaborated by the Convention on Biological Diversity for the integrated management of land, water and living resources to promote conservation and sustainable use in an equitable way. Specific actions have also been taken by the FOREST EUROPE participating countries to enhance protected forest areas and forest law enforcement.

The FOREST EUROPE policies for sustainable forest management will be an important instrument for achieving new biodiversity targets for 2020, which are expected to be adopted in Nagoya. The high-level segment with ministers starts today and will be convened until Friday this week.

Read the Press Release

The Non-paper is a technical document, which in advance of any ministerial decision, should serve as a basis for national and regional consultations on the key issues and options for a possible legal agreement. The comprehensive paper illustrates options for a legally binding agreement, with objectives, commitments, institutional arrangements, ne­gotiations process, as well as options on how an instru­ment could take advantage of already existing FOREST EUROPE commitments and arrangements.

The Non-paper has been developed by the Working Group on preparing options for a decision on a possible legally binding agreement on forests in Europe. The Working Group has been set up to prepare background for a ministerial decision. Its overall purpose is to prepare a solid basis for consideration and decision to be taken by the ministers responsible for forests in Europe at the Oslo conference.

At its third meeting on 30 September-1 October, the Working Group deliberated on a draft Oslo decision on negotiating a legally binding agreement on forests in Europe. The participants also discussed a technical background document for a ministerial decision. Almost 60 participants from FOREST EUROPE signatory countries and observer organisations attended the meeting, which was held at the FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Read the Non-paper here

The upcoming FOREST EUROPE Ministerial Conference on 14-16 June 2011 in Oslo, Norway is expected to take a decision whether to enter into negotiations on a legal agreement on forests in the pan-European region. In order to prepare background for a ministerial decision a Working Group on preparing options for a decision on a possible legally binding agreement on forests in Europe has been set up. Its overall purpose is to prepare a solid basis for consideration and decision to be taken by the ministers responsible for forests in Europe at the Oslo conference.

At its third meeting in Rome, the working group will deliberate on a draft Oslo decision on negotiating a legally binding agreement on forests in Europe. The participants will also discuss a technical background document for a ministerial decision.

To facilitate national consultations, the working group has developed a Non-paper. This comprehensive document illustrates options for a legally binding agreement, with objectives, commitments, institutional arrangements, ne­gotiations process, as well as options on how an instru­ment could take advantage of already existing FOREST EUROPE commitments and arrangements.

It is expected, that the working group will deliver the outcome of its work prior to the next FOREST EUROPE Expert Level Meeting, which will be held on 14-15 December 2010.

Almost 60 participants from FOREST EUROPE signatory countries and observer organisations will attend the third working group meeting, which is being held at the FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy.

The health and sustainability of Europe’s forests play an important role in solving challenges like climate change, biodiversity protection and fresh water. Their vitality is also crucial to foster a green economy both in Europe and globally. It will be the task of the ministers attending the conference to take the robust political decisions necessary to promote the sustainable development of the continent’s forests and safeguard their important environmental and societal benefits. The conference will be hosted by the Norwegian Minister of Agriculture and Food, Mr Lars Peder Brekk.

The FOREST EUROPE Ministerial Conference will be a major contribution to the International Year of Forests in 2011.  This year-long celebration of forests across the globe will be used to raise awareness and to engage the world in taking action to secure sustainable forests for present and future generations.

Read the Press Release

In Europe, it is recognised that the conservation of forest biodiversity is an essential component of sustainable forest management. FOREST EUROPE guidelines address conservation and the appropriate enhancement of biological diversity along with other forest-related objectives. FOREST EUROPE side event participants at the CBD conference (SBSTTA 14) will learn about the contributions of FOREST EUROPE and what it is doing to achieve the 2010 Biodiversity targets. Other important aspects, such as the existing and potential role of sustainable forest management to meet the 2010 target and post-2010 strategy will be highlighted and discussed. To contribute to the International Year of Biodiversity, the pan-European forest policy process will among others also participate in the CBD conference COP 10 in Nagoya, Japan in October.

Read the Nairobi Side Event Programme

The participating experts will review national fire prevention systems, identify innovative strategies, best practices and policy instruments. It is also expected that the experts will develop policy conclusions and recommendations concerning the prevention of forest fires in Europe.

The meeting is an substantive part of FOREST EUROPE’s activities, contributing to the pan-European policy process for the sustainable management of the continent’s forests. It is attracting policy and decision makers, forest stakeholders, forest fire researchers and experts. FOREST EUROPE, in keeping with the commitments of the ministers at the Fifth Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe in 2007 is dedicated to the ongoing exploration of measures to prevent forest fires and their devastating effects, as well as to restore the economic, social and ecological potential of areas affected by forest fires.

The meeting is co-organised by FOREST EUROPE, the Hellenic Ministry for the Environment, Energy and Climate Change; Republic of Cyprus, Department of Forests; Union of South European Foresters (USSE); Silva Mediterranea Committee; and Team of Specialists on Forest Fires UNECE/FAO. It will be followed by a meeting of the European Commission’s Expert Group on Forest Fires.

Read the Press Release

At the conference, participants discussed impacts and threats on forests, biodiversity, information as well as policy options, and the future of the EU forest strategy. Mr Lars Peder Brekk, Minister of Agriculture and Food of Norway and Mr Janusz Zaleski, Vice-Minister of Environment of Poland, were invited to address the audience in the opening session, which was chaired by Ms Elena Espinosa Managana, Minister of Environment, Rural and Marine affairs of Spain. The high-level representatives, which are all representing the General Coordinating Committee of FOREST EUROPE, highlighted the important achievements and ongoing work by FOREST EUROPE and their relevance for the discussions on forest protection and information within the European Union. 

Minister Lars Peder Brekk, who is also chairman of FOREST EUROPE, underlined the potential of Europe’s forests to be an essential part of solving climate change. Furthermore, he emphasised the need to adapt forests to changes in temperature, water supply and other factors affected by climate change. In order to benefit from forests’ possibilities and meet the challenges and threats, it will be necessary to join forces and strengthen cooperation in the entire FOREST EUROPE region, Mr Brekk emphasised. He suggested developing a shared vision and common goals for forests in Europe.and underlined that it is timely to work towards a legal framework on forests in the pan-European region to further enhance implementation of sustainable forest management.

In his presentation to the conference working group on policy options, Mr Arne Ivar Sletnes, Head of FOREST EUROPE Liaison Unit Oslo, informed about the role of FOREST EUROPE in forest protection and the priorities towards the upcoming FOREST EUROPE Ministerial Conference on 14-16 June 2011 in Oslo, Norway. He highlighted that the pan-European region has developed and endorsed the concept of sustainable forest management as a response to threats posed to forests and to ensure lasting provision of their multiple goods and services. He underlined that FOREST EUROPE and the EU have the same goals and challenges, and stressed the opportunities for synergies when working towards sustainable forest management, which includes forest protection.

In the jointly adopted declaration, the importance of the pan-European cooperation on sustainable forest management is recognised and the preparatory work for the upcoming FOREST EUROPE Ministerial Conference in June 2011 in Oslo is welcomed. Protection of forest is recognised as a part of sustainable forest management. To enhance forest protection in Europe, the declaration acknowledges the need for supporting actions which enable forests to provide lasting goods and services and to join forces to increase their quality and quantity. It is also recognised that sustainable forest management established within the FOREST EUROPE process is consistent with the ecosystem approach concept elaborated by the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Read the Speech of Lars Peder Brekk

Read the Green Paper on Forest Protection and Information

Read the Valsaín Declaration

These high-priority issues were agreed on by the signatory countries at the latest FOREST EUROPE Expert Level Meeting on 23-24 March in Oslo. In this context, the need to strengthen the European forest policy framework was addressed. The process will elaborate options to improve future cooperation work modalities and a possible legally binding agreement on forests in Europe. To meet global warming and expected extreme events such as storms, drought, pests and fires, it will be necessary to prepare forests and adapt forest management. Adequate information about threats to and developments of Europe’s forests is needed to undertake appropriate actions. European countries should strengthen political efforts and enhance implementation of sustainable forest management. As part of its future strategy, FOREST EUROPE is elaborating a common vision, goals and targets for forests in Europe, as well as supportive measures by countries.

The next FOREST EUROPE Expert Level Meeting is scheduled for 14-15 December 2010, where decisions directing to the Oslo Ministerial Conference will be taken. Several preparatory meetings will be arranged through 2010.

Scientific experts have established that healthy forests are necessary for preserving the world’s water. FOREST EUROPE’s policy decisions and instruments make a significant contribution to ensuring that Europe’s forests are well managed and thus help to preserve the planet’s water resources.

Research underlines that both the availability and quality of water are strongly influenced by forests. Forests stabilise soil and minimise erosion. They trap sediments and pollutants from higher lying land uses and help to protect lakes, water courses and rivers. Forests also influence both the timing and the amount of water available by intercepting precipitation, evaporating moisture from foliage, transpiring soil moisture, capturing fog water and maintaining soil infiltration. 

Climate change and its effects on forests and water

Climate change and ever increasing extremes of weather are now very much on the international agenda. Climate models from the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predict a significant decrease in rainfall in the Mediterranean basin while Central and Northern Europe can expect more rainfall during the winters. These in turn can result in landslides, flooding and droughts, phenomena that can be alleviated by sustainable forest management.

Research results demonstrate that proper maintenance and the restoration of damaged and degraded forest ecosystems can play a protective role and cushion the effects of climate change. Water protection is therefore a high-priority issue of the ongoing FOREST EUROPE work.

Read the Press Release