Climate-driven forest disturbances could slash Europe’s timber value by up to 42%

Rising wildfires, storms, and pest outbreaks linked to climate change could cost Europe’s forestry sector billions of euros annually, threatening timber markets, forest-based jobs, and the competitiveness of European forest companies, according to a new study published in Nature. Researchers estimate that disturbance-induced losses for Europe’s timber-based forests could more than double from €115 billion today to €247 billion under severe climate scenarios, reducing the overall timber value of forests by as much as 42% and cutting the gross value added of the forestry sector by up to 15%. Central Europe—including Germany, Austria ...