While in many parts of the world forests are shifting from carbon sinks to carbon sources, Italy appears to be heading in the opposite direction. According to the National inventory document 2025 from Ispra, Italian forests today absorb 14% of the nation’s CO₂ emissions, more than double the estimates from 2022. A surprising figure — but one that raises important questions.
The international context: polluting forests
The warning comes from Etifor, a spin-off of the university of Padua and a B Corp specializing in environmental consulting. The organization highlights the case of Canada, where 225 million hectares of human-managed forests have undergone a dramatic shift: from an average absorption of 30.5 million tonnes of CO₂ to net emissions of 131.2 million tonnes. The main causes include wildfires, climate stress, insects, and forest degradation. In 2023 alone, fires burned 15 million hectares — 4% of Canada’s forested area.
Europe faces similar challenges
The situation is equally concerning across Europe. In Finland, according to the Luke institute, forests’ net carbon absorption turned negative in 2021. The main drivers include increased logging and rising soil emissions, caused by faster decomposition of litter due to warming temperatures. Similar trends have emerged in Estonia since 2020 and in Germany, where droughts and insect outbreaks have reduced forest carbon stocks by 41.5 million tonnes since 2017.
Italy’s contrasting data: a positive signal?
Against this alarming global backdrop, Italy’s numbers seem to stand out. But is this truly good news? Not entirely, experts caution. The sharp rise in Italy’s reported CO₂ absorption is largely due to a revision of baseline data, incorporating the new 2024 national forest map, the national forest information system (SINFor), and preliminary figures from the updated national forest inventory.
“On the one hand, having a better data foundation is a positive development; on the other hand, seeing a trend so different from that observed internationally prompts reflection and further verification,” warns Mauro Masiero, scientific director at Etifor. The stakes are high, he adds: “These data form the basis for shaping the country’s climate policies.”
Active forest management is key
According to Davide Pettenella, senior policy advisor at Etifor, time is running out: “We’ve already missed the opportunity to integrate forests effectively into climate policies. We should have leveraged their temporary mitigation role while transitioning to a new energy model. Now, with average temperatures up by 1.48 °C, forests risk becoming part of the problem if not properly managed. This is why a purely passive rewilding approach is dangerous: true nature restoration must involve active forest management.”
How to build more resilient forests
For Etifor, effective forest management means enhancing their diversity, complexity, and resilience. Proposed solutions range from assisted migration and enrichment planting to the use of native species resistant to drought, fires, and insects.
Additionally, it’s essential to adopt a landscape-scale planning approach, integrating forests with wetlands and natural grasslands. Finally, the development of value chains for durable wood products — such as those used in construction — offers a long-term means of carbon storage.