Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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November 5, 2025 Climate and environment
Decades of efforts to protect forests, which serve as a vital natural barrier against rising carbon dioxide concentrations, are under threat from the accelerating climate crisis, according to experts from the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).
The situation is critical due to an increase in forest fires and droughts caused by higher temperatures, decreased humidity and pest infestations.
1.76 billion hectares of forest are at risk
The UNECE countries – in Europe, North America, the Caucasus and Central Asia – contain more than 1.76 billion hectares of forests, representing more than 40 percent of the world's forest cover.
While the region's total forest area has increased by 60 million hectares (with the largest increase recorded in Europe and Central Asia), the global trend is the opposite, with approximately 10.9 million hectares of forest disappearing annually.
Fires and pests: the scale of the disaster
In 2021, forest fires destroyed 12.6 million hectares of forest – an area comparable to the size of Greece, according to UNECE representative Paola Deda. Another 73 million hectares of forest, roughly equivalent to the combined area of Spain and Portugal, are affected by insects and diseases.
"If these trends continue, forests, which today serve as a powerful carbon sink, could become a source of emissions, jeopardizing global climate goals," Deda warned.
Forest protection
With the support of UNECE member states, forest protection programmes are continuing, including measures against acid rain in Central Europe, which previously caused serious damage to ecosystems.
Since 1990, the area allocated for biodiversity conservation and soil and water protection has doubled. Today, over 300 million hectares of forest (approximately the size of all of Italy) are legally protected.
However, the UNECE warns that the impact of climate change is accelerating forest destruction, threatening to undo decades of environmental progress.
The UNECE also notes the special role of boreal forests. The forests surrounding the Arctic contain approximately 32 percent of all terrestrial carbon stocks. They are negatively impacted by melting permafrost and rising temperatures. Their protection requires coordinated international policy.
Climate summit in Brazil
Ahead of the COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil, UNECE called on world leaders to strengthen forest conservation measures, including fire prevention, pest control and large-scale forest restoration.
According to the organization, carbon stocks in forests have increased by 11 percent since 1990.
"The world's most forested country isn't Brazil, but Russia," Paola Deda reminded. "And although the climate conference will be held in the Southern Hemisphere, it's the forests of the northern regions that are crucial to the planet's climate."
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"Everything we've achieved over the past three decades is now under serious threat due to the climate crisis. We cannot afford to lose the planet's most powerful natural defense," said UNECE Executive Secretary Tatiana Molchan.
She said the world's forests could be so severely damaged that they would be impossible to restore.
"The international community – especially the leaders who will gather in Belém – must understand that forest conservation is no longer just an environmental issue; it is the foundation of global carbon security," the head of the UNECE emphasized.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.