On July 10, the VI Forum of the "Ukrainian Forest Platform" took place - a multilateral independent platform for discussing and forming a common vision and goals for future forest policy, created on the initiative of WWF-Ukraine. Within the framework of the Forum, WWF-Ukraine experts analyzed and highlighted the general principles and foundations of implementing close-to-nature forestry in EU countries, as well as the use of its principles for biodiversity conservation and forest resilience to climate change.

In the context of the event, the problems of using forest and wood biomass were also considered from the perspective of sustainability and the potential of their use. Participants and speakers emphasized the lack of sustainability criteria for the use of forest and wood biomass in Ukraine, as well as the need for unified approaches in different climatic zones to the implementation of close-to-nature forestry and deadwood management.

The implementation of sustainable forest biomass use principles requires radical changes in forest management, closer interagency cooperation, and appropriate regulatory changes to implement close-to-nature forestry principles. This issue is particularly important in the context of forestry sector reform and European integration processes.

For the successful implementation of close-to-nature forestry and sustainable use of forest and wood biomass, the following issues need to be addressed:

• Define the concept of "forest biomass" and introduce sustainability criteria for its use.
• Continue implementing close-to-nature forestry principles based on EU recommendations by making appropriate changes to current forest and environmental legislation.
• Expand networks of pilot plots for selective and gradual logging in different climatic zones to gain more experience for implementing best practices.
• Regulate and introduce clear indicators for leaving deadwood in forests of all categories.

We invite you to familiarize yourself with the materials and results of the "Ukrainian Forest Platform" Forum on the official page of the Ukrainian Forest Platform — https://specials.wwf.ua/forest-platfo...