Finland faces an uncertain future as its forests struggle to absorb carbon
Finland’s plan for carbon neutrality by 2035 is in jeopardy as its once-reliable forests have begun emitting more carbon than they store, raising concerns for global climate targets.
Patrick Greenfield reports for The Guardian.
In short:
- Finland’s boreal forests, which once absorbed large amounts of carbon, are now releasing more greenhouse gases due to deforestation, rising temperatures, and forest degradation.
- The land sector’s collapse as a carbon sink threatens Finland’s ambitious climate goals, despite emission cuts in other sectors.
- Many countries, including Finland, now face challenges as natural carbon sinks decline, complicating efforts to meet global climate commitments.
Key quote:
"We cannot achieve carbon neutrality if the land sector is a source of emissions."
— Juha Mikola, researcher at Natural Resources Institute Finland
Why this matters:
The implications are stark: if forests stop absorbing carbon, we lose one of our most crucial defenses against climate change. Finland is a cautionary tale for the rest of the world—a reminder that the natural systems we rely on are fragile, and without urgent action, the planet’s ability to store carbon could collapse. Read more: The push for standing forest protections in US climate policy.
