Brussels, EU – The European Commission on Tuesday approved a German state aid scheme worth €200 million ($211 million) to adapt forest management to climate change.
The scheme aims to strengthen the resilience of German forests, increase their biodiversity and preserve them as natural carbon sinks that can absorb and store CO2 emissions from the atmosphere.
The measure is proportionate, necessary and suitable to boost sustainable forestry practices, the commission said in a press statement.
The money should be used to foster the implementation of sustainable forestry practices.
Examples of sustainable forest management include “a native and climate-adapted tree species composition, improving the internal forest climate, protecting the forest soil and preserving habitat trees,” the statement wrote.
The support scheme will run until the end of 2026.
Strict rules apply in the European Union when a member state wants to support companies with subsidies or tax benefits. The commission monitors compliance with these rules.
(dpa)