ForBioSink – Forests for Climate and Biodiversity

Forests are central to achieving European climate targets because they store large amounts of carbon and buffer climate impacts. The European Green Deal, the European Climate Law and the 2030 Climate Target Plan highlight nature-based solutions, biodiversity protection and carbon sequestration as key pillars of climate action. The European Union Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, the European Union Forest Strategy for 2030 and the Nature Restoration Law call for resilient, diverse forest ecosystems. However, forest management often prioritises timber production and short-term recovery over biodiversity and long-term resilience. In Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Serbia, climate change has increased forest disturbances, while policies and tools linking biodiversity and carbon sequestration remain insufficient. The project supports national and European objectives by strengthening biodiversity-based forest management and improving the contribution of forests to climate mitigation and resilience.

The project develops a strategic action plan to strengthen carbon sequestration in forests by enhancing tree biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. It investigates the relationship between biodiversity, forest productivity and resilience to identify priority forest types with high climate mitigation potential. Biodiversity criteria and measures to increase long-term carbon storage capacity are systematically integrated into forest management strategies. Regional training programmes build the capacities of forest owners, managers and authorities to apply biodiversity-friendly practices. An international conference enables knowledge exchange between countries and sectors. Through structured stakeholder engagement, the project co-develops practical guidelines for forest conservation, restoration and sustainable management. By combining scientific evidence, capacity building and policy dialogue, the project supports forest actors in managing forests that are both biodiversity-rich and climate-resilient.