In 2023, the French government will provide €150 million for reforestation. Marc Fesneau, France’s Minister of Agriculture, plans to increase this sum over the next few years as part of a permanent “renewal fund”. The aim of the program is to support public and private forest owners in their efforts make forests more resistant to climate change over the coming ten years. In France, around 3.4 million private individuals own 70% of the country’s forests.
The impact of climate change, which includes heatwaves and periods of drought, will require the implementation of “voluntary measures” on at least 15% (2.6 million hectares) of France’s forests by 2024. In addition, it will be necessary to invest billions of euros, as Fesneau emphasizes. According to the report on the state of forests by the “Sustainable Forest Management” expert committee, around 500,000 hectares are already being reforested as part of existing forest management plans.
For example, as part of a project in the Loiret department, plans are being made to plant downy oaks and cedars near Orléans, since these tree species are more drought-resistant than the sessile oaks which are traditionally found there. As the online portal rfi.fr reports, there are plans to support seed and plant cultivation companies nationwide in their search for adapted cultivars, such as linden, maple or plane trees.
The shortage of workers and staff for the planting and management of forests is said to be “the biggest limiting factor” according to the report on the state of forests. France would need an additional 50% of workers to plant the required number of trees.
