FOREST EUROPE

29/05/2026

Ministers and experts to gather on the future of Europe’s forests

At a time of growing environmental, societal and geopolitical uncertainty, ministers, policymakers, researchers and stakeholders from more than 30 countries across Europe will gather in Stockholm, Sweden, on 2–3 June under the theme “Sustainable Forests for Resilient Societies”.

The tenth FOREST EUROPE Ministerial Conference will provide a high-level platform for dialogue on the future of forests in Europe and the role of Sustainable Forest Management in addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, forest disturbances and increasing societal demands on forest resources. The pan-European FOREST EUROPE Signatory countries will also reaffirm their shared commitment through the signing of the Stockholm Ministerial Declaration.

“I’m looking forward to welcoming key decision-makers on forestry issues from the whole of Europe. The forests and active forestry throughout our entire continent play a crucial role for Europe’s economy, our joint preparedness and the climate,” says Mr Peter Kullgren, Minister for Rural Affairs of Sweden and current Chair of the FOREST EUROPE process.

Read full article: https://foresteurope.org/ministers-and-experts-to-gather-on-the-future-of-europes-forests/

26/05/2026

What does SoEF2025 tell us about the full value of forest, beyond wood?

Non-wood forest products, including cork, Christmas trees, chestnuts, fruits, mushrooms, wild game, and honey generate economic, ecological and social value. These resources not only provide food and materials and generate additional income linked to forest landscapes, but also play an essential role in strategic geopolitical crisis preparedness, response systems, and the security of resource availability.

In Europe, plant-based non-wood products account for more than twice the market value of animal-based products, largely driven by ornamental plants such as Christmas trees. At the same time, social and biospheric services (e.g., for nature protection) dominate the marketed services of forest ecosystems.

The true value of forest goods and services remains obscured by different definitions, distinctions between marketed and non-marketed values, and unclear trade patterns, although reporting and response rates have improved compared to previous reports. Nonetheless, the reported values for goods (6 500 million €) and forest services (1 260 million €) are significant.

This raises an important question: how can we better recognise, value, and integrate the full range of forest benefits—not only timber, but also non-wood goods, ecosystem services, and the forest’s strategic role in resilience, crisis response, and secure resource availability—into more informed, sustainable, and economically viable forest management?

🔗Download the full SoEF report: https://foresteurope.org/publications_type/soef-2025/



Photo: Kenneth Johansson/Swedish Forest Agency

22/05/2026

Why is the FOREST EUROPE process important for the pan-European region? Listen to what organisations in the forest sector say. See full videos on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-bh3aQs5eSHTLIKpanu1tpJ2wUZkBsvN


📹University of Sopron

18/05/2026

Why is the FOREST EUROPE process important for the pan-European region? Three of our Signatory countries give their views. See full videos on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-bh3aQs5eSHTLIKpanu1tpJ2wUZkBsvN


📹University of Sopron

14/05/2026

ONE WEEK TO GO - REGISTER FOR THE WEBINAR NOW: Do Europe’s forests suffice? Forest resources and carbon sequestration

Forests remain important carbon sinks, but their capacity is slowing. At the same time, sustainably harvested wood can support climate goals by storing carbon and replacing more carbon-intensive materials. Building on the findings of the State of Europe’s Forests 2025 report (SoEF 2025), this webinar will explore the status and trends of forest resources and carbon sequestration and discuss how these topics can be managed and balanced. Do Europe’s forests suffice?

Speakers:
Speakers:
Dr. Kari Korhonen (Moderator), Research Manager LUKE and Board Chair of ENFIN Association
Dr. Michael Losch, Coordinator for Bioeconomy in DG Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission
Mr. Jari Ringman, Director General of the Cepi (Confederation of European Paper Industries)
Mr. Sven Erik Hammar, President of CEPF (Confederation of European Forest Owners)

📆 22 May
🕰️ 12:00–13:00 CEST
🔗 Read more about the webinar and register here: https://foresteurope.org/state-of-europes-forests-report/webinars-exploring-soef-2025/do-europes-forests-suffice/

12/05/2026

In this video, Matteo Mascolo, Forest Steward at the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) shares his view on Forest Europe, SFM and the SoEF report. Some snippets from the video:

“…forests are not only an environmental asset, but they are also a strategic asset. There are geopolitical tensions, shaky supply chain, climate instability…”

“…for us it's about creating bridges. So what we can do is to bring the experience of the Forest Stewardship Council from the ground and to inform the principles of Forest Europe and also translate those principles in the action that we do on the ground. So it's about merging, it's about creating the bridge between policy and practice…”



📹: University of Sopron

11/05/2026

🌳How can wood use be part of the solution to a more sustainable, low-carbon future in Europe?🌲

Consumption of wood, such as sawn wood, wood-based panels, paper and paperboard, and energy, can contribute to a circular bioeconomy by replacing fossil-based materials with renewable alternatives that emit fewer greenhouse gases.

The average wood consumption in Europe is around 1 cubic metre roundwood equivalent per person per year, ranging from 0.6 cubic metre in South-East Europe to 1.9 cubic metre in Northern Europe.

The per capita wood consumption in Central and Eastern Europe increased and in contrast, there was an annual decline in Northern Europe and in Central-West Europe. These trends reflect regional differences in economic growth, industrial restructuring, and the mix of energy and renewable material policies.

This highlights a critical balance: increasing the use of wood as a renewable resource while ensuring sustainable forest management, safeguarding biodiversity, and maintaining long-term resource availability.

🔗Download the full SoEF report: https://foresteurope.org/publications_type/soef-2025/


Photo: "Sara Kulturhus" built in wood, White Arkitekter

08/05/2026

Forest damage is increasing across Europe, driven by climate change, extreme events and biotic threats. At a recent FOREST EUROPE lunch webinar, experts from the Czech Republic, Scotland, Portugal and UNECE discussed how forest risks are becoming more complex and interconnected, and what this means for policy and practice. The discussion highlighted the growing need to move from reactive responses towards more proactive approaches to forest resilience.

🔗Read the full article: https://foresteurope.org/forest-damage-in-europe-from-reactive-responses-towards-more-proactive-approaches/

📅NEXT WEBINAR 22 MAY: Do Europe’s forests suffice? Forest resources and carbon sequestration

Forest damage is increasing across Europe, driven by climate change, extreme events and biotic threats. This trend is also reflected in the findings of the State of Europe’s Forests 2025 (SoEF 2025), which point to growing pressures on forest ecosystems and increasing impacts on their capacity to ...

07/05/2026

Fredrik Silfwerbrand, Head of Liaison Unit Sweden, attended the informal Meeting of the EU Forest Directors-General in Paphos, Cyprus, on 27–29 April.

The EU meeting focused on strengthening the resilience of European forest ecosystems against climate change, with a special emphasis on forest fire management. Representatives from 23 member states and EU organizations highlighted the need for sustainable, evidence-based forest management and active monitoring to protect biodiversity.

Fredrik was impressed by the Cypriotic forest fire management system. The combination of lookouts, aviation in the form of a small fleet of airplanes and helicopters, and high awareness in the Cypriotic society, spot fires early which is key for efficient fire extinguishing. The Cypriotic fire fighters surround the fire and attack it from all sides, including from above, which is a successful strategy.

On the picture: Fredrik Silfwerbrand, Head of Liaison Unit Sweden to the left and Dr Savvas Iezekiel, Director of the Department of Forests, Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment to the right.

Next chance to meet up with us is in New York at the UN Forum of Forests (UNFF21).

06/05/2026

In this video Gediminas Jasinevičius, Forest Policy Group Advisor, Lithuanian Ministry of Environment, reflects on why Forest Europe, the SoEF report and SFM are important.

“Forest Europe is essential for Europe… Nowadays, our forests are threatened by many external factors like climate change and the forests do a lot for our society, for our economy, like social economic values. So, here is the best platform I can imagine that can be discussed, how to do it sustainably so that our forests could stay for forever.”

“The State of Europe Forest Report, it's very important to understand the trends, how we manage the forest and what needs to be done… The report is the platform to understand where we go and to compare ourselves among other countries.”

“The main efforts Lithuania is focusing on are of course to increase the forest coverage in Lithuania and at the same time to mitigate climate change, to provide values for society, to preserve biodiversity.”



📹: University of Sopron