Where do we stand on climate protection?

Only every fifth tree is healthy

Since recording began in the 1980s, the damage level of German forests is now at its highest level ¹. The year 2022 was also too dry and it is becoming clear that the climate crisis is severely threatening the important ecosystem services of the forest ¹.

The extent of the damage to forests is measured by crown thinning: Tree crowns that show significantly less foliage or needles. As before, all tree species suffer from crown thinning, with only 20.8 percent of trees showing no thinning ¹. 

The dieback rate has increased, especially for spruce, which still suffers from the highest mortality rate. For deciduous trees and pine, on the other hand, it has fallen somewhat. Older trees over 60 years of age in particular are showing signs of dieback, but the trend is also increasing for the younger tree species ¹.

Mixed forest instead of monocultures

Above all, the Forest Status Report makes it clear that the water cycle of forests must be strengthened. This is because the soils of the forests store large amounts of water and thus prevent forest fires: In hot weather, the water evaporates, leading to more rain and cooling the air.

In order to strengthen the water reservoir of the forests, forest areas (and moors) must be renaturalized. This can be achieved by promoting the development of near-natural mixed forests, protecting forest areas from clear-cutting and preserving deadwood. 

Plant trees and protect the forest locally

With Planted, our goal is to preserve the German forest for future generations and creatures. To this end, we plant mixed forests throughout Germany with our climate forester Jan and our corporate and private customers - according to the recommendation of the German government. Our focus is on planting climate-stable tree species that, for example, have deep roots and are firmly anchored in the ground during storms, but can also access enough water during drought. 

In addition, we protect local forests from deforestation by concluding contracts secured by land registry. The forests are protected from any encroachment and can develop freely: The trees reach a great age, fallen trees become an important water reservoir, provide shelter and food for insects or serve as habitat for rare species.

You too can get active with your company, plant your own company forest on your doorstep or protect the German forest locally.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: The world must act immediately

But it's not just the forest that's suffering; our entire planet is in a bad way. That is the message of the sixth synthesis report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). After all, a global average warming of 1.1 degrees has already been reached and the effects of the temperature rise are clearly visible. With every tenth of a degree more warming, the future risks increase. The impact on ecosystems and societies is currently already higher than assumed ⁴. The 1.5 degree mark will probably already be exceeded at least temporarily by the end of the 2030s ⁵.

We still have it in our own hands

The positive news from the report is that we can turn things around - even if we need to act very urgently. Policymakers need to tighten up their measures, because the current climate targets are not enough to keep us within 1.5 degrees. By 2030, a 48 percent reduction in CO₂ emissions must be achieved compared to 2019 emissions ⁷. Currently, however, emissions are rising worldwide. The problem: Emissions must continue to be reduced even after 2030. In 2035, a reduction of 65 percent compared to 2019 is required ⁷.

The possible levers for a turnaround already exist: whether technical solutions for an energy turnaround, in transport, natural climate protectors such as moors, forests or our oceans, or regulations in agriculture.

But industry can also make a significant contribution to turning the tide. Industry alone has the goal of halving its emissions by 2030 compared to 1990, and even then 140 million metric tons of CO₂ will still be emitted ⁶. 

Planted accompanies companies in their sustainability strategy

With Planted, we take companies by the hand and offer a holistic sustainability strategy, individually adapted to the company's current commitment. From the calculation of CO₂ emissions, double materiality analysis and active reduction to the offsetting of unavoidable emissions, we support companies on their reduction path and also assist them with the communication and reporting of their commitment. In addition, Planted also enables local environmental protection through forest conservation or tree planting.

To make our planet enkelfähig and avert the worst consequences of the climate crisis, we must all pull together. And even if politics and big business have the most leverage: Every effort to preserve our planet counts, because we still have the time. 

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Sources:

¹ Results of the 2022 forest condition survey (bmel.de)

² Forest restructuring is pressing | Federal government

³ Forest condition report 2022 - NABU

⁴ IPCC presents report: "It's still in our own hands" | tagesschau.de

⁵ IPCC report: How we can still slow down climate change - News - WDR

⁶ Industry will also significantly reduce its CO₂ emissions. (bundesregierung.de)

⁷ 1.5-degree target almost impossible to achieve: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change calls for rapid and drastic climate protection measures | rbb24

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