Finland forests and peatlands, once reliable carbon sinks, have started emitting more greenhouse gases than they absorb. This shift threatens Finland’s ambitious target to be carbon neutral by 2035.
The decline in carbon absorption began around 2010 and has accelerated, with the forest sink decreasing by about 90% from 2009 to 2022. Factors contributing to this include increased commercial logging, burning peatland for energy, and climate change effects like rising temperatures and droughts.
This situation has significant implications not only for Finland but also for other countries relying on natural carbon sinks to meet climate targets. The forestry industry resists reducing harvesting due to economic impacts, while researchers suggest better forest management and protection could help restore the land sink.
Read more at What happens to the world if forests stop absorbing carbon? Ask Finland | Finland | The Guardian