The Alpine Convention and itscommitment for mountain forests

towards a green economy 

“Forest Policy in a Green Economy”, Krakow, 16‐18 September 2014

The Alpine ConventionDone in 1991, is the first international treaty for the protection and 

sustainable development of a mountainous trans‐boundary area: the Alps

Aims of the Alpine Convention

• Promoting sustainable development in the Alpine area;

• protecting the interests of the people living in the Alps;

• embracing the environmental, social, economic and cultural dimensions of the Alps.

Soil conservation

Mountain forests

Protocol on «Mountain Forests» (1996)OBJECTIVES

‐ Conservation and enhancement of mountain forests as close to nature habitat, improve their stability‐‐ Sustainaible Forest Management (regeneration↔ exploitation)

PRINCIPLE  of MULTIFUNCTIONALITY of MOUNTAIN FORESTS

Protection against natural hazards, climate protection (CO2 sequestration and storage, air pollutants filtering,water cycle regulation),recreation, renewable production (wood, energy), important natural habitat(conservation)

PROVISIONS, MEASURES AND ACTIONS

‐ Promotion of wood from sustainable forests‐ Education and training of foresters and forest owners, technical assistence‐ Forest planning, functions definition‐ Priority to protection function‐ Sustainable jobs and income production‐ Ecological and social functions (water, climate, air, noise, biodiversity protection, ricreation)‐ Long term natural development and monitored forest reserves

The Protocol «Mountain Forests» and the UNECE/FAO Rovaniemi Action Plan for the 

forest sector in a green economy

The Impetus and Instruments of the Alpine Convention for the Forest Sector

The Working Group «Mountain Forests» of the Alpine Convention 

The XII Alpine Conference, held in Poschiavo , 7th September 2012 (decision ACXII‐B7)set up a Working Group on Mountain Forests

The 52. Permanent Committee (7‐8 March 2013) with the decision PC52‐B6 hasapproved the first mandate 2013‐2014 of the Working Group, whose first results will besubmitted to the Alpine Convention’s Ministers at the XIII Alpine Conference (Torino,Italy, 21st November 2014)

Objectives of the Mandate1.STATE OF THE ALPINE FORESTS

There are many existing data on forests at national level, that are to be compared and assembled for the alpine area, as a result of a future common project. The WG will work on a qualitative level

2. FUNCTIONS AND ECOSYSTEM SERVICESMountain forests provide a wide range of services to local and distant communities so far without reward of the owners and managers of forests

3.SUSTAINABLE USE OF THE FORESTS TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY

Forests are a potential driver for economic development in the Alps, within a green economy, directly creating valued jobs and moreover being interconnected with wood processing, agriculture, tourism, energy. 

Results of the WG «Mountain Forests»: some examples:

1. Forest cover in the Alpine Convention

forest area Unit CH I D F A FL S Tot

Alpine Convention territory

km² 24,862.0 52,033.8 11,054.8 40,788.4 54,702.2 160.0 6,671.0 190,272.2

National ForestInventories

100 ha 8,000.00 28,000.00 4,756.00 14,469.00 25,826.00 51.72 4,853.53

88,277.5

47,2% of the Alpine

Convention

shrub forest 100 ha 660.00 2,866.40 587.00 834.50 1,340.0 14.63 175.04 6,004.68

Results of the WG «Mountain Forests»: some examples:

2. Annual growth and fellings

0,0

2,0

4,0

6,0

8,0

10,0

12,0

14,0

CH I D F A FL Slo tot

increment/felling per ha

yearly increment

fellings

Results of the WG «Mountain Forests»: some examples:

4. Carbon sequestration incerement of the Alpine forests 1980‐2000 (Schirpke, 2013)   

3. The Ecosystem services of Alpine forests

First conclusions, lessons learned and next steps: synergies for the forest sector in a green economy

WORKING GROUP MOUNTAIN FOREST ALPINE CONVENTION

1. Improving and sharing information and data from national forest  inventories on the state of forests ( evolution, dynamic, use, damages, services, ecc.)

2. Exchanging information  and data on forest management and marketing of forest products: experiences, good practices

3. Promoting and developing  new uses of the wood and every way to increase its value ( certification scheme; brand, ecc.)

4. Supporting and strengthening research on ecosystem services granted by alpine forests and releasing  good practices of PES

5. Creating awareness concerning the value of the alpine forests and their goods and services for the whole society 

UNECE/FAO Rovaniemi Action Plan 

• A.2.1 Link development of procurement policies to existing legislation and practice on sustainable consumption and production 

• B.1.4 Promote the use of wood in construction 

• C.1.5 Increase investment in education and training of forest workers and forest owners 

• D.2.4 Empower forest owners and promote partnerships with other actors in providing ecosystem services such as ecotourism 

• E.0.2 Review national forest sector governance and the adequacy of available supporting information 

Thank you for your attention!

Paolo Angelini angelini.paolo@minambiente.it

Federico Mannonimannoni.federico@minambiente.it

Luca CetaraCetara.minambientest@gmail.com