SECTORAL POLICIES / Biodiversity

EU’s primary forests are at risk and need to be mapped, says Joint Research Centre report

Brussels, 22/04/2021 (Agence Europe)

Primary and ancient forests are shrinking in the EU and need more robust and up-to-date mapping to better protect them, according to a report published by the European Commission on 22 April - World Earth Day.

The Joint Research Centre report shows that only 4.9 million hectares of these forests - Europe’s natural capital, essential for preserving biodiversity and mitigating climate change - remain, representing only 3% of the EU’s total forest area and 1.2% of the EU’s land mass.

It...