EUROPEAN UNION
At the EU level several directives and strategies are linked with tree strategies, in accordance with the European Green Deal. In 2020, forests some 38% of total land area in the EU, and the EU has pledged to plant 3 billion additional trees by 2030. EU Nature Restoration Law The European Parliament adopted the EU Nature Restoration Law in February 2024. The new law sets a target for the EU to restore at least 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030 and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050. All member states have two years to propose nature restoration plans for their respective areas. EU’s Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 EU has pledged to plant 3 billion additional trees by 2030. The European Commission sets out in a roadmap several conditions and resources that can be used to make a success of individual projects regarding forests, ensuring they are in line with EU guidelines, and providing label of the ‘EU 3 billion trees’ initiative and funds to the projects. Moreover, both individuals and organisations will be encouraged to make a tree-related pledge through the EU Climate Pact website. The Pact will also provide support in the form of consultancy hours to the best projects (pledges) to help them upscale or replicate. A monitoring system is available on the Forest Information System for Europe website, and submitting and reporting planting is enabled with a link to the form to submit and report planting on the EEA website. An EU-funded project named URBAN GreenUP which aims at developing, applying, and validating a methodology for Renaturing Urban Plan was developed and is creating a network of Cities interested in fighting against climate change through nature-based solutions. EU Forestry Strategy for 2030 The Forestry Strategy is considered a key action under the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030 and is seen as a strategic component to achieve the EU’s biodiversity objectives, as well as its greenhouse gas emission reduction target and subsequent climate neutrality by 2050. The strategy aims to improve the quantity and quality of EU forests, reversing negative trends and adapting EU forests to the new conditions, weather extremes and high uncertainty brought about by climate change. EU Soil Strategy Incites authorities in leading policies to reduce land consumption and balancing it by greening, notably with balanced appropriate and adaptable urban planning. EU Clean Air Policy Ireland is implementing the EU Clean Air Package containing a suite of policies and legislative proposals and trees are part of the solution to clean air, particularly in urban environments. EU Habitats Directive Ensures the conservation of a wide range of rare, threatened, or endemic animal and plant species. Some 200 rare and characteristic habitat types are also targeted for conservation. Together, with the Birds Directive they have created the Natura 2000 nature protection network. The Habitats Directive required Ireland to identify a network of sites where important or endangered animal or plant species, or certain rare or vulnerable habitat types, are present to a degree that they are significant at a European level.
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[ Cork City Council - Tree Strategy ]
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