Forests can save us, but only if we save them first – the case of Finland: How to Ensure EU Climate and Bioenergy Policies work for forests and people.

As a forested country, Finland has a large potential to increase its carbon sinks. Sanna Marin’s coalition government aims to be the first fossil-free welfare state and become carbon neutral in 2035 and carbon negative thereafter. While we reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, peat and Russian energy, pressures on forests increase. Forest loggings are already at a record high, and most forest biomass ends up as energy. Over consumption increases our reliance on raw materials. The positive news is that researchers have identified multiple ways to enhance forest carbon sinks and protect biodiversity at the same time. As the recent IPCC report points out, only biodiverse ecosystems are able to adapt to the impacts of heating. By saving forests, we can save ourselves.