FILE PHOTO: A drone view shows dying fir trees among the healthy ones, due to prolonged droughts leaving them exposed to pest infestations according to scientists and locals, near the village of Kalavryta, Peloponnese, Greece, July 9, 2025. REUTERS/Louisa Gouliamaki/File Photo
COPENHAGEN/BRUSSELS/STOCKHOLM (Reuters) -Damage to European forests from increased logging, wildfires, drought and pests is reducing their ability to absorb carbon dioxide, putting European Union emissions targets at risk, scientists warned on Wednesday.
The European Union has committed to reaching net zero emissions by 2050. The target includes the expectation that forests will suck up hundreds of millions of tonnes of CO2 emissions and store it in trees and soil, to compensate for pollution from industry.
