A new EU Forest Strategy: for forests and the forest-based sector

Forests and other wooded land cover over 40% of the EU’s land area, with a great diversity of character across regions. Globally, however, forest area continues to decrease. Forests are multifunctional, serving economic, social and environmental purposes. They offer habitats for animals and plants and play a major role in mitigating climate change and other environmental services. In order to preserve these forests functions, on 20 September 2013 the EU Commission adopted a new EU Forest Strategy which responds to the new challenges facing forests and the forest sector. The new Strategy gives a new framework in response to the increasing demands put on forests and to significant societal and political changes that have affected forests over the last 15 years. The new strategy identifies the key principles needed to strengthen sustainable forest management and improve competitiveness and job creation, in particular in rural areas, while ensuring forest protection and delivery of ecosystem services. It also specifies how the EU wishes to implement forest-related policies.