Oslo 2011
European 2020 targets for forests
The 6th FOREST EUROPE Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe was convened on 14-16 June 2011 in Oslo, Norway. At the Conference, ministers responsible for forests in Europe adopted European 2020 Targets for the protection and sustainable management of forests. Moreover, ministers took a historical decision and launched negotiations on a Legally Binding Agreement on Forests in Europe. The decisions represented a major European contribution to the International Year of Forests 2011
The health and sustainability of Europe’s forests play an essential role in solving challenges like climate change, biodiversity protection and fresh water. Their vitality is also crucial to foster a green economy both in Europe and globally. Protection and sustainable management of Europe’s forests require a stable and efficient platform for coherent policy development and implementation. Therefore, European ministers responsible for forests and the European Union made an historical decision at the FOREST EUROPE Ministerial Conference in Oslo and launched negotiations for a Legally Binding Agreement on Forests in Europe.
As part of the Oslo Ministerial Decision: European Forests 2020, ministers agreed on Goals of European Forests and European 2020 Targets for forests. This decision comprises strategic goals, measurable targets and priority actions at national and international level to enhance sustainable forest management. It also prepares the ground for increased recognition of the role of forests and their sustainable management in a future, sustainable, low carbon economy. The decisions taken by the ministers further enhance Europe’s concrete contribution to the International Year of Forests 2011, and highlight the pivotal role of forests for human well-being.
At the Oslo Ministerial Conference, Spain took over the chairmanship of FOREST EUROPE from Norway. The conference in Oslo was attended by ministers and high-level representatives from 42 FOREST EUROPE countries and the European Union. 6 observer countries from outside Europe and 29 international organisations including environmental and social NGOs, forest owners’ associations, the forest industry and intergovernmental organisations participated as observers.
A non-exhaustive list of the pan-European activities achieved for the implementation of the ministerial commitments in the period between the Warsaw and the Oslo Ministerial Conference is presented below.
- Joint Workshop to Streamline Global Forest Reporting and Strengthen Collaboration among International Criteria and Indicator Processes. Victoria, Canada, 18-20 October 2011
- Conference Proceedings. FOREST EUROPE Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe Oslo 14-16 June 2011
- State of Europe’s Forests 2011
- State of Europe’s Forests 2011. Summary for Policy Makers
- Implementation of the FOREST EUROPE Commitments. National and pan-European Actions 2008-2011
- Working Group on preparing options for a decision on a possible legally binding agreement on forests in Europe. 2010. Final report; The Non-paper LBA; Technical Paper LBA; and Draft Oslo Decision LBA.
- Main Findings and Recommendations of the MCPFE Working Group on Exploring the Potential Added Value of and Possible Options for a Legally Binding Agreement on Forests in the Pan-European Region
- Pan-European Guidelines for Afforestation and Reforestation with a special focus on the provisions of the UNFCC. 2009
- Good Practice Guidance on the Sustainable Mobilisation of Wood in Europe. March 2010
- Enriching Forest Biodiversity. FOREST EUORPE is implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity provisions. 2010
- Analysis of the Role of the MCPFE as a Regional Process in the Implementation of the Non-Legally Binding Instrument (NLBI). Report and Annex.
- Assessment of Forest Fire Risks and Innovative Strategies for Fire Prevention. Workshop 2-6 May 2010, Rhodes, Greece.
- Review of the MCPFE, 2009. Final report, Annex I, Annex II and Annex III
- Sustainable Forest Management and Influences of Water Resources – Coordinating Policies on Forests and Water. Workshop on Forest and Water, 12-14 May 2009, Antalya, Turkey.
- FOREST EUROPE Expert Meeting on Forest Law Enforcement and Governance Bucharest, Romania, 13-15 Oct 2008
- MCPFE Open-ended Ad-hoc Working Group on “Sustainability Criteria” for Forest Biomass Production, including Bioenergy
- MCPFE Work Programme (2007). Pan-European Follow-Up of the 5th Ministerial Conference 5-7 November 2007, Warsaw, Poland