Forests in the Nature Restoration Law

European forests are losing biodiversity at an alarming rate with only 14 per cent of protected forest habitats in good condition. Intensive management is undermining sustainability.

To reverse this we must:

1. strictly protect our remaining old-growth forests,
2. set aside additional forests for restoration and
3. improve the biodiversity of forests that will still be managed for wood production.

The Nature Restoration Law offers an opportunity to achieve all of the above, by restoring ecosystems using an approach that moves away from land-sparing, which promotes a trade-off between forest reserves and tree plantations and ignores the role of foresters pursuing environmental objectives. There is scientific recognition that most European forests are managed and degraded; that protected areas are affected by this management; and that virtually all forests are in need of restoration.

This NGO paper outlines recommendations for how to achieve a new positive vision for forests in the Nature Restoration Law.