Virtual EURACTIV Conference: Restoring the Earth’s lungs - How can forests support climate change mitigation?
26.01.2023
The Nature Restoration Law, the first of its kind, is a proposal adopted by the European Commission in June 2022 which aims to restore damaged ecosystems and revive nature across Europe. The proposal aims to cover at least 20% of the EU's land and sea areas by 2030 with nature restoration measures, and eventually extend these to all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050. To reach these targets, while accounting for national circumstances, the law would require Member States to develop National Restoration Plans, in close cooperation with scientists, interested stakeholders and the public.
Forests act as the Earth’s lungs by absorbing enormous amounts of carbon from the atmosphere, and are vital for combating climate change. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, eliminating emissions from deforestation and increasing carbon removals by promoting forest regrowth and landscape restoration could reduce global emissions by up to 30%. In keeping with these findings, The Life Terra project seeks to plant 500 million trees in Europe.
Join this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to discuss the Commission’s proposal for the Nature Restoration Law in the context of forests. How can tree planting and forest restoration support climate change mitigation? What role can projects like Life Terra play in reaching the Commission's targets, and how can projects like this be replicated elsewhere?
Confirmed panellists:
- Luisa Samarelli, Head of Unit Nature Conservation, DG ENV, European Commission
- Kelsey Perlman, Forest and Climate Campaigner, FERN
- Marta Mugica, Professional planting coordinator, Life Terra
- Anna Deparnay-Grunenberg, MEP, Substitute on ENVI Committee, European Parliament
To register for this event click HERE