The National Inventory of Forests and Forest Carbon Tanks created by the Carabinieri with the scientific support of CREA will be presented tomorrow in Milan in streaming. In the presentation, which will be attended by Mipaaf and MiTE, the data on the consistency of the woods in Italy will be illustrated.
The initiative, in which Mipaaf and MiTE will participate, is part of the ALL4CLIMATE contest of the Pre-COP26 in Milan. This testifies to the fundamental contribution of forests in the mitigation of climate change and the ability to safeguard animal and plant biodiversity. CUFA dei Carabinieri and CREA del Mipaaf will illustrate the results of the third survey on the Italian forest heritage, describing which areas of Italy have the most woods, the tree and shrub species present, the form and intensity of management, the contents of carbon, growth rates, the structure of forest formations, forest renewal and the state of health of ecosystems.
The analysis of the forest cover during the surveys (the last one completed at the beginning of 2020) shows a growth in the forest area which is now equal to 36,7% of the national territory, while the consistency of the Italian woods, expressed as cubic meters biomass, increased by 18,4%. This translates into 290 million tons of CO2 less in the air, because it is now stored in the wood of trees, and therefore in a lower greenhouse effect.
Minister Stefano Patuanelli underlines how “these periodic surveys by CUFA and CREA are strategic to highlight Italy's commitment to environmental sustainability. In fact, the Inventory certifies the results of our country in the carbon cycle and in the process of achieving the objectives of the Framework Convention on Global Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the EU Green New Deal. The goal of neutrality of polluting emissions by 2050 looks to the new generations. I am convinced that moments of public reflection such as these are important for the dissemination and education of the sustainability of lifestyles, especially of young people. I therefore very much appreciate the fact that this presentation is included in a series of initiatives dedicated to children. "