The objective of this consultation is to collect views from citizens, organisations and public authorities on how land use activities may contribute to climate change mitigation; if land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) should count towards the EU's greenhouse gas reduction commitment; and, if so, the ways in which this could be done. The EU has committed unilaterally to reduce its overall greenhouse gas emissions by 20% below 1990 levels by 2020, and by up to 30% if conditions are right. Emissions and removals in the LULUCF sector are currently not part of the EU's commitment. However, and in accordance with Decision 406/2009/EC (Articles 8 and 9), the Commission shall assess modalities for the inclusion of associated emissions and removals in the reduction commitment and, as appropriate, make a proposal.

After a description of the forestry sector and its position in existing carbon pricing frameworks, this study focuses on the extent to which "voluntary" carbon markets might make it possible to value the sequestration of CO₂ in forestry and timber projects carried out in French territory. With an eye towards practical application, it is based on seven hypothetical projects that could apply for carbon certification in the voluntary markets. The study estimates the sequestration potential of these projects and the number of carbon credits they could generate. A cost benefit analysis is also developed for one of these projects.

According to a new publication, if Europe is to achieve its renewable energy objective of 20% by 2020, it must step up the supply of wood from its sustainably managed forests.  In Europe, only 60% of the annual natural growth of the forests is currently being harvested. For a sustainable energy future, however, this is not near enough.

The publication, Good Practice Guidance on the Sustainable Mobilization of Wood in Europe, gives an overview of measures that countries can take to mobilize their wood resources. It presents a selection of eight mobilization areas, together with concrete measures and examples of good practice, which policy-makers and practitioners can take into account when developing wood mobilization strategies and practices for their own region. The guidance is intended for decision makers in administrations and industry, as well as forestry practitioners.

The present report is divided in two sections. The first describes European viewpoints on REDD, with an emphasis on the current state of play of the REDD debate within the EU and the developments of the position adopted by the relevant EU institutions on the subject.

Climate change poses a number of threats to soils in Europe. As a follow-up to the high-level June 2008 conference on soil and climate change a group of European scientists were asked by the Commission to assess the contribution soils can make to climate change mitigation and the effect of climate change on soil productivity and organic matter depletion.