Danish forests may turn out to be a larger climate hero than previously thought, according to new research from the University of Copenhagen. The latest report suggests that by 2030, forests could absorb a total of 1.7 million tons of CO2 more than previously expected. This new estimate brings Denmark closer to achieving its ambitious climate goals. The increase in forests’ CO2 uptake is the result of a new calculation method that takes into account that trees are growing faster and being harvested later than previously assumed.
This change in calculation method could have a significant impact on the ongoing negotiations about CO2 taxes in the green tripartite agreement. The updated projection follows recent updates to the CO2 accounts for agriculture’s peatlands, which in January showed a reduction of around two million tons of CO2, leading the government to declare that the 2025 target had been met. These new figures were met with both surprise and skepticism, as they were based on projections that could be altered with future calculations.
The report on the green tax reform has also indicated that agriculture should contribute to a reduction of 2.5 million tons of CO2 by 2030. With the forests’ increased contribution of 1.7 million tons of CO2, this could play a central role in the political negotiations regarding Denmark’s climate efforts. These new discoveries highlight the vital role of forests in the fight against climate change and could potentially change the way political decisions on the environment and climate are made in the future.