Forests should act as carbon sinks. But in some regions, they have become net emitters of CO₂ — a clear sign that new management strategies are urgently needed.

3 minutes

Forests are supposed to absorb CO₂. But in some cases, the opposite is happening

In several parts of the world, forests are now emitting more carbon dioxide than they absorb. This challenges the traditional view of forests as our best allies in fighting climate change. The most striking case is Canada, where millions of hectares of forest have shifted from being carbon sinks to becoming net sources of emissions.

Canada’s case: from sink to source

Canada is home to over 361 million hectares of forest. According to official data, 225 million hectares of managed forestland have reversed their role — moving from absorbing an average of 30.5 million tonnes of CO₂ annually to emitting over 131 million tonnes. The main drivers are increasingly frequent extreme events: in 2023 alone, wildfires burned 15 million hectares of forest, while bark beetle outbreaks affected more than 20 million hectares over the past two decades.

Europe shows worrying trends too

In Finland, forests became a net source of carbon in 2021 due to intense logging and increased soil emissions driven by higher temperatures. Similar dynamics have been recorded in Estonia since 2020. In Germany, drought and insect infestations have caused forest carbon stocks to decline by 41.5 million tonnes since 2017.

In tropical countries, the situation is even more critical: deforestation and land degradation have turned many forest areas into net carbon emitters. Globally, the overall carbon balance of forests is worsening, and without a reversal, this trend could severely undermine climate goals.

What’s happening in Italy?

According to the 2025 National Inventory Document published by ISPRA, Italian forests currently absorb 14% of the country’s net CO₂ emissions. This is a notable increase compared to previous estimates — largely due to new data sources such as the National Forest Map, the Forest Information System, and preliminary results from the ongoing National Forest Inventory.

While this improved data framework is positive, these numbers should be interpreted with caution. They form the basis of national climate policies, and require independent verification. Meanwhile, global average temperatures have already risen by 1.48°C. Forests, once a key opportunity, risk becoming part of the problem if we fail to manage them properly.

The solutions: diversity, resilience, and governance

Through initiatives like WOWnature, we work every day to improve the resilience of forests and their ability to adapt to climate change. This includes:

  • promoting natural and assisted regeneration;

  • increasing biodiversity with enrichment planting;

  • introducing native species that are more resistant to drought, fires, pests, and wind damage;

  • integrating forest areas with wetlands and grasslands to improve climate risk management;

  • encouraging the use of long-life wood products to store carbon outside the forest.

These interventions require technical expertise, proper tools, and above all, effective governance. Long-term strategies, public-private partnerships, and cooperative models among landowners are essential to ensure truly multifunctional forest management.

Conclusion: acting now to protect our forest heritage

Climate change is transforming forests. Protection alone is no longer enough: we must manage them actively, intelligently, and adaptively. The time for waiting is over. We must take care of the forests we already have — before it’s too late.