aDryada’s position on EU CRCF delegated act “Planting of trees on unused and severely degraded land”

aDryada, dedicated to restoring Nature (forests, mangroves, wetlands etc.) all over the world, for and with people, welcomes the European Commission’s efforts to structure a clear and practical framework for carbon removal through the Carbon Removal and Carbon Farming (CRCF) regulation.

We are aware of the difficulty in finding a fair balance between the need to respond to the environmental challenges (climate and biodiversity) that confront us on the one hand, and the growing demand for wood on the other. This is why, regarding tree plantations aiming to “increase and improve the share of forested land in the EU”, we particularly support the authorities’ willingness to promote “sustainability”. Forests are to be under increased pressure in the coming years because of both climate change and human activities.

Nevertheless, aDryada considers that the text as it is written kills an option which would serve both environmental imperatives and the European position towards countries of the Global South without harming wood production: the possibility offered to operators/foresters to plant forests rich in biodiversity, with pure conservation aims.

Thus, we suggest some amendments that would open this option for operators.