The European Commission plans to propose the establishment of a forest-monitoring system using aerial information from its Copernicus Sentinel satellites and other data sources, as reported by Bloomberg on November 20. This innovative measure aims to combat deforestation and ensure the availability of natural carbon sinks in the face of climate change. Satellites offer a unique advantage to fill data gaps that traditional methods may overlook, such as accurately measuring the impact of drought or damage caused by pests. Furthermore, the EU intends to encourage its member states to develop long-term forest plans that cover the next 50 years. These plans aim to ensure the sustainable management of their forests, foster biodiversity, protect wildlife habitats, and mitigate climate change.

Forests and peatlands serve as natural carbon sinks, absorbing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) generated by both human-made activities and wildfires. However, such climate benefits have been weakened by unsustainable forest management and illegal logging. The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS), operated by the European Space Agency (ESA) and European Commission, can create accurate forest mappings and facilitate the detection of changes in forest areas. Moreover, it would help companies in the global food supply chain fulfill their commitment to avoiding deforestation. The recent proposal aligns with the New EU Forest Strategy for 2030, which was positioned as a flagship initiative of the European Green Deal. The strategy sets a vision and concrete measures to improve the quantity and quality of EU forests, strengthening their protection, restoration, and resilience.

Sources:

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-20/world-has-14-chance-of-keeping-warming-below-1-5c-in-best-case?srnd=green

https://isp.page/news/eu-to-use-satellites-to-track-forest-destruction-as-region-warms-2/#gsc.tab=0

https://www.copernicus.eu/en/news/news/observer-copernicus-supports-forest-monitoring-benefit-climate-environment-and-natural

https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/forests_en