Rising forest damage in Europe – risks, drivers, and policy responses

Forest damage is increasing across Europe, driven by climate change, extreme events and biotic threats. At the FOREST EUROPE lunch webinar, experts from the Czech Republic, Scotland and Portugal, together with UNECE, shared national perspectives on how these risks are evolving and how they are being addressed in practice.

The discussion highlighted a clear shift: from isolated disturbances to more systemic and compounding pressures on forest ecosystems. This raises important questions for policy and management, particularly on how to move from reactive responses to more anticipatory, resilience-oriented approaches.

In her closing summary, moderator Silvia Abruscato (FoRISK) outlined several key takeaways:

• A multisectoral approach is essential – forest damage is no longer a purely forestry issue, but intersects with climate, energy, biodiversity and economic policies
• Preparedness matters – having clear plans in place before disturbances occur is fundamental
• Crises can drive innovation – disturbances often accelerate new solutions, tools and governance approaches
• Timely, in-situ information is critical – effective responses depend on access to up-to-date and reliable data
• Monitoring remains a cornerstone – robust, continuous monitoring is key to understanding trends and informing decisions

Together, these insights reinforce a central message: addressing forest damage requires coordinated action, forward-looking planning, and stronger integration across sectors and policy domains.

As reflected in the State of Europe’s Forests 2025 (SoEF 2025), strengthening resilience is no longer optional, it is becoming a defining priority for sustainable forest management in Europe.

This webinar is the first in a series of monthly lunchtime webinars reflecting on the topics in the SoEF 2025.

Watch the webinar recording

Speakers