Norwegian climate forest

PEFC is an international certification with its own customized requirement standard for Norwegian forests and looks through the entire value chain, from forest owner to consumer. Certification and proof of traceability are important tools that contribute to safe and sustainable wood products.

Here in Norway, we have the best places to achieve safe, stable and sustainable carbon capture through tree planting in climate forests.

Potential areas for the establishment of climate forests are largely located in areas with little tradition of forestry. Establishing forests as a climate measure has a different starting point than traditional forestry.

Before Trefadder To plant a climate forest in an area, several public bodies must be involved: the county governor, the municipality and the business organizations, as well as the landowner.

The Norwegian Environment Agency, NIBIO and NMBU have assessed the effect of climate afforestation in Norway. The sequestration effect from the research project is estimated at 60 tonnes of carbon per hectare.

In our climate forests, we plant two-year-old trees from approved producers. The trees have a tracking and genetic pedigree that is adapted to the location in which the trees are planted. Each year class is planted in a defined area.

As the forest grows, so does the carbon stocks in the forest. But what happens when the forest has grown large and we cut it down?

In any forest, trees compete for nutrients. In order for the climate forest to grow as quickly as possible with maximum absorption of CO2, the forest must be regularly maintained.

Trees are known to have a long lifespan, but at some point the tree reaches maximum CO2 binding and growth. At this point the trees have become 30-50m tall and branches have begun to wither.

By first carrying out an assessment of the environmental values ​​in the area, the biodiversity and other environmental values ​​will be defined. Climate forests are established in line with established principles and practices for sustainable forestry.

There are many who claim that Norway is growing again. For generations, nature has been shaped by mowing or grazing for animals. This has changed. Over the past few generations, these traditions have more or less ceased.

The Sitka spruce was introduced to Norway more than a hundred years ago. The species was long popular, but it is now no longer wanted by the authorities. It is not allowed to plant the species in Norway without special permission.

The effects of planting climate forests depend on the circumstances and there will always be ecological effects of tree species change and tree planting on cultivated land. However, tree species, density, ecosystem, extent and management form are all factors that must be taken into account to achieve the greatest possible diversity in the climate forest.

Climate forests cannot be created just anywhere. All nature conservation areas are protected.

Previous generations have learned that planting new forests can have both positive and negative consequences for the ecosystem. There was always a certain risk associated with introducing new species that did not naturally occur in the planting area.

The western counties have the largest area that can provide high or very high quality after planting. In Nordland and Troms, the quality is often low, but there are still significant areas that can provide medium to high quality spruce after planting.

According to the Norwegian Environment Agency, planting with common spruce, or possibly Sitka spruce or Lutz spruce (coastal areas), is the first choice where secure establishment and the greatest possible timber production are prioritized.

It would initially be most appropriate to consider establishing forests on overgrown areas. These areas have not stored large amounts of carbon and will therefore have the least impact on existing carbon stocks.

The forest in Norway is important in the climate context in that it annually absorbs an amount of CO2 that corresponds to over 60 percent of our total annual emissions of greenhouse gases in other sectors.

Norway is a good place to plant climate forests. We are known for setting high standards, have a stable political landscape and long experience in forestry. This means that our supporters can be sure that the tree planting will be carried out and cared for in a good way.