A sustainable and inclusive forest monitoring framework. EESC’s “cautious” appreciation

Brussels – Sustainability, inclusiveness, and respect for property rights in the forest data system: these are the pillars of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) on the forest monitoring framework, according to the opinion that zooms into the proposals the European made in November 2023. The Committee is in favor, but with “cautious appreciations, recommendations, and requests for further review,” particularly on “technical limitations and judicial considerations” that the proposal for a new ad hoc Regulation implies at the European level.

Adopted at the CEESC plenary session in March, the ‘New EU framework for forest monitoring and strategic plans’ opinion highlights the importance of a “timely, accurate, and transparent” information system to enhance the understanding of ecosystems that are vital for the continent, although several areas need improvements and clarifications before the initiative proceeds to the legislative process. “It is crucial to ensure complementarity and avoid duplication of data already covered by existing legislation, such as climate and air policies, biodiversity regulations, and the Common Agricultural Policy,” the opinion’s rapporteur Florian Marin explains.

Among the first recommendations is creating a common set of indicators to assess the impact of forest management on biodiversity and its contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In addition, the EESC stresses the importance of ensuring that collected data are not used for commercial purposes without benefiting landowners and of including primary forests in the system by integrating trees outside forests into the monitoring framework. Regarding long-term planning, each member state should develop a forest plan to integrate social and economic aspects with environmental considerations, financing it through existing and future EU funds and aligned with other forest and timber strategies, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals.

Civil society should be involved in “both the design and implementation” of forest data systems and long-term plans, with transparency, inclusion, and data protection measures. In particular, with regard to the monitoring framework, the Commission and the 27 Member States should split the data system with common definitions and specific reporting frequencies to ensure consistency. The EESC’s recommendation is to consider “carefully” the balance between subsidiarity and respect for national and EU competencies, property rights and ownership of data and to remember that “economic, social, and environmental factors should be given equal importance in forest data management.” According to the Committee, these suggestions should ensure the “effectiveness and integrity” of the data system and long-term plans as European lawmakers continue to refine the proposals.