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Greens see the right inputs at the right time in WWF’s independent forestry report
Vienna (OTS) – Almost half of Austria’s area is covered with forests. Therefore, the forest represents an important ecosystem, but we also make many demands on national forests: they are important providers of raw materials, carbon pools and recreational areas for us humans. However, or precisely because of this, our forests are under pressure: overexploitation, logging and worsening climatic conditions are putting our forests at risk. This is the conclusion reached by WWF, which has published Austria’s first independent forestry report. The WWF cautions that only about 11 percent of the national forests are in very good condition, of which only about 0.8 percent are effectively protected. Therefore, measures are required for sustainable forest management and a climate-friendly forest: special subsidies, reforestation of protective forests and expansion of the network of natural forest reserves, as well as tree species adapted to climate change, they can only be initial measurements.
“The WWF figures are alarming,” said Olga Voglauer, Greens agriculture spokesperson, in an initial reaction to the 2020 Forest Report, explaining: “The Forest Report clearly shows us the mistakes of the past. Monocultures, unsuitable tree species and the climate crisis is putting our forests at risk. ”Clemens Stammler, spokesperson for the rural areas of the Greens and president of the Green Farmers, adds:“ Not only the mistakes of the past are clearly shown, but also the paths for the future We need more diverse forests, a more natural and sustainable use, as well as true forest game management to effectively protect local forests and make them climate-friendly.
“It is our duty to protect the forest for future generations as well, because it is the forests that protect us from the consequences of the climate crisis. The destruction of forest soil must be reduced and more effective incentive systems must be created for the protection of species and biodiversity, ”says Voglauer based on the results of the forestry report. “Conservation of nature and profitability are not a contradiction in terms. Finally we need real costs. The added social value of intact forests should also be included in the overall calculation. The conclusion is that the balance is positive ”, says Stammler, referring to the results of the report.
Both deputies see the report published as an important input for the next hearing of experts on December 1 in the framework of the Agriculture Committee. “The forest report is the right input at the right time and provides us with a good basis for discussion in the upcoming negotiations,” conclude Voglauer and Stammler.
Queries and contact:
Green Club in Parliament
+ 43-1 40 110-6697
rush@gruene.at
