FOREST EUROPE Report Reveals Trends in Sustainable Management and Challenges Ahead

OSLO, Norway, June 14, 2011 -

- Europe’s Forests can Combat Climate Change

Europe, the most forest-rich region in the world, represents 25%
of our global forest resources. Europe’s expanding forests have a
huge potential to mitigate climate change. They provide renewable
materials wood and energy, and foster a green economy. Sustainable
forest management practices increasingly promote conservation of
biodiversity. But, diseases, extreme weather conditions (e.g.
storms), and fires also threaten forests. These main results derive
from the report on the State of Europe’s Forests 2011, which has
been launched today in Oslo, Norway. The launch takes place on the
occasion of the FOREST EUROPE Ministerial Conference on the
Protection of Forests in Europe (14 - 16 June 2011). At the
conference, ministers responsible for forests, as well as
high-level representatives from 46 countries and the European Union
meet to take decisions aimed at preserving forests and safeguarding
their environmental, societal and economic benefits for present and
future generations.

The State of Europe’s Forests 2011 report aims at providing
decision makers and the broad public with up-to-date, comprehensive
and fact-based information on the status and trends in forests and
sustainable forest management in Europe in the period 1990-2010.
The report has been jointly prepared by FOREST EUROPE, UNECE and
FAO.

The FOREST EUROPE Ministerial Conference, under Norwegian
chairmanship, is the sixth in a row since the ministerial
collaboration started in Strasbourg in 1990. Much progress has been
made in finding a common policy voice and appropriate action to
recognise Europe’s forests as a vital shared resource - not only
among the signatory countries but also as a global resource.

For further information, please contact:
FOREST EUROPE
Liaison Unit Oslo
Kristin Dawes
Mobile: +47-941-49-351
Email: href="mailto:kristin.dawes@foresteurope.org">kristin.dawes@foresteurope.org

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