Environment Council Meeting Adopted Measures to Fight Drought and Prepare the Forests to Climate Change
 

On 11 June a meeting of the Environment Council of the European Union took place. Among the topics discussed were the options to move beyond a 20 % greenhouse gas emission reduction target, how to approach possible water scarcity, drought and adaptation to climate change, and how to prepare the European forests to climate change.

In terms of water scarcity, drought, and adaptation to climate change the Council expressed support for the development of a European drought observatory which will be in charge of forecasting, monitoring and exchange of best practices between relevant actors and stakeholders. The Council also encouraged member states to develop water scarcity and drought management plans and to promote sustainable water use in agriculture. It also stressed on the importance of integrated planning and sustainable development to address water use, water scarcity and drought, and the importance of territorial planning in the areas traditionally affected by water scarcity and drought.

In regard to preparing European forests for climate change, the Council’s conclusions call for strengthening cooperation at EU and international level on sustainable forest management and mainstreaming this issue in relevant policies. This should be based on advanced work on the economic valuation of non-marketed forest ecosystem goods and services. In addition, the Council encouraged the collection at European level of information on forests gathered by Member States and other relevant fora, inter alia, through existing European forest information systems such as the European Forest Data Centre.

Additional information:

Council conclusions on water scarcity, drought and adaptation to climate change (PDF)

Council conclusions on preparing forests to climate change: forest protection and information in the EU (PDF)

Source: Council of the European Union