The Paris Agreement in December 2015 (COP21), saw world governments committing to limiting carbon emissions so as to keep global warming “well below” a 2°C rise above pre-industrial levels, and possibly below a 1.5°C rise.
The central importance of woodland in addressing climate change was formally recognised in the Paris Agreement and that healthy forests and landscapes can help us realise reductions in global emissions in the short and long term.
Healthy woodlands absorb immense amounts of carbon dioxide, acting as carbon sinks. However, when deforestation occurs, forests release damaging greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Because of this important climate regulating function, the land sector – and forests in particular – are critically important in both the post-2020 agreement and for the immediate actions necessary to slow climate change.
Over 90% of Ireland's forest cover has been removed, by reforesting Ireland in a sustainable and holistic fashion we can provide a local template for global reforestation. New woodland is extremely efficient at storing carbon, while providing a wide range of ecosystem services to the community. By supporting reforestation efforts in Ireland we will:
- Help reduce atmospheric carbon by increasing carbon being sequestered in new woodlands.
- Demonstrate that reforestation is not just an issue for tropical and subtropical regions, but is an essential part of economic and social responsibility of temperate regions as part of a global fight against climate change.
