LegalizeCommission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/2139 of 4 June 2021 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2020/852 of the European Parliament and of the Council by establishing the technical screening criteria for determining the conditions under which an economic activity qualifies as contributing substantially to climate change mitigation or climate change adaptation and for determining whether that economic activity causes no significant harm to any of the other environmental objectives (Text with EEA relevance)
Article 1
The technical screening criteria for determining the conditions under which an economic activity qualifies as contributing substantially to climate change mitigation and for determining whether that economic activity causes no significant harm to any of the other environmental objectives laid down in Article 9 of Regulation (EU) 2020/852 are set out in Annex I to this Regulation.
Article 2
The technical screening criteria for determining the conditions under which an economic activity qualifies as contributing substantially to climate change adaptation and for determining whether that economic activity causes no significant harm to any of the other environmental objectives laid down in Article 9 of Regulation (EU) 2020/852 are set out in Annex II to this Regulation.
Article 2a
Review
When performing the review referred to in Article 19(5) of Regulation (EU) 2020/852, the Commission shall also review and assess the necessity to amend the dates referred to in Annex I, Section 4.27, Section 4.28, Section 4.29, point 1(b), Section 4.30, point 1(b) and Section 4.31, point 1(b).
Any review of the date referred to in point (2) of Sections 4.27 and 4.28 to Annex I shall take into account the technical progress in accident-tolerant fuel commercialisation in the Union and worldwide.
Article 3
This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
It shall apply from 1 January 2022.
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.
ANNEX I
Technical screening criteria for determining the conditions under which an economic activity qualifies as contributing substantially to climate change mitigation and for determining whether that economic activity causes no significant harm to any of the other environmental objectives
| TABLE OF CONTENTS | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
| 1. | Forestry |
| 1.1. | Afforestation |
| 1.2. | Rehabilitation and restoration of forests, including reforestation and natural forest regeneration after an extreme event |
| 1.3. | Forest management |
| 1.4. | Conservation forestry |
| 2. | Environmental protection and restoration activities |
| 2.1. | Restoration of wetlands |
| 3. | Manufacturing |
| 3.1. | Manufacture of renewable energy technologies |
| 3.2. | Manufacture of equipment for the production and use of hydrogen |
| 3.3. | Manufacture of low carbon technologies for transport |
| 3.4. | Manufacture of batteries |
| 3.5. | Manufacture of energy efficiency equipment for buildings |
| 3.6. | Manufacture of other low carbon technologies |
| 3.7. | Manufacture of cement |
| 3.8. | Manufacture of aluminium |
| 3.9. | Manufacture of iron and steel |
| 3.10. | Manufacture of hydrogen |
| 3.11. | Manufacture of carbon black |
| 3.12. | Manufacture of soda ash |
| 3.13. | Manufacture of chlorine |
| 3.14. | Manufacture of organic basic chemicals |
| 3.15. | Manufacture of anhydrous ammonia |
| 3.16. | Manufacture of nitric acid |
| 3.17. | Manufacture of plastics in primary form |
| 4. | Energy |
| 4.1. | Electricity generation using solar photovoltaic technology |
| 4.2. | Electricity generation using concentrated solar power (CSP) technology |
| 4.3. | Electricity generation from wind power |
| 4.4. | Electricity generation from ocean energy technologies |
| 4.5. | Electricity generation from hydropower |
| 4.6. | Electricity generation from geothermal energy |
| 4.7. | Electricity generation from renewable non-fossil gaseous and liquid fuels |
| 4.8. | Electricity generation from bioenergy |
| 4.9. | Transmission and distribution of electricity |
| 4.10. | Storage of electricity |
| 4.11. | Storage of thermal energy |
| 4.12. | Storage of hydrogen |
| 4.13. | Manufacture of biogas and biofuels for use in transport and of bioliquids |
| 4.14. | Transmission and distribution networks for renewable and low-carbon gases |
| 4.15. | District heating/cooling distribution |
| 4.16. | Installation and operation of electric heat pumps |
| 4.17. | Cogeneration of heat/cool and power from solar energy |
| 4.18. | Cogeneration of heat/cool and power from geothermal energy |
| 4.19. | Cogeneration of heat/cool and power from renewable non-fossil gaseous and liquid fuels |
| 4.20. | Cogeneration of heat/cool and power from bioenergy |
| 4.21. | Production of heat/cool from solar thermal heating |
| 4.22. | Production of heat/cool from geothermal energy |
| 4.23. | Production of heat/cool from renewable non-fossil gaseous and liquid fuels |
| 4.24. | Production of heat/cool from bioenergy |
| 4.25. | Production of heat/cool using waste heat |
| 4.26. | Pre-commercial stages of advanced technologies to produce energy from nuclear processes with minimal waste from the fuel cycle |
| 4.27. | Construction and safe operation of new nuclear power plants, for the generation of electricity or heat, including for hydrogen production, using best-available technologies |
| 4.28. | Electricity generation from nuclear energy in existing installations |
| 4.29. | Electricity generation from fossil gaseous fuels |
| 4.30. | High-efficiency co-generation of heat/cool and power from fossil gaseous fuels |
| 4.31. | Production of heat/cool from fossil gaseous fuels in an efficient district heating and cooling system |
| 5. | Water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation |
| 5.1. | Construction, extension and operation of water collection, treatment and supply systems |
| 5.2. | Renewal of water collection, treatment and supply systems |
| 5.3. | Construction, extension and operation of waste water collection and treatment |
| 5.4. | Renewal of waste water collection and treatment |
| 5.5. | Collection and transport of non-hazardous waste in source segregated fractions |
| 5.6. | Anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge |
| 5.7. | Anaerobic digestion of bio-waste |
| 5.8. | Composting of bio-waste |
| 5.9. | Material recovery from non-hazardous waste |
| 5.10. | Landfill gas capture and utilisation |
| 5.11. | Transport of CO2 |
| 5.12. | Underground permanent geological storage of CO2 |
| 6. | Transport |
| 6.1. | Passenger interurban rail transport |
| 6.2. | Freight rail transport |
| 6.3. | Urban and suburban transport, road passenger transport |
| 6.4. | Operation of personal mobility devices, cycle logistics |
| 6.5. | Transport by motorbikes, passenger cars and light commercial vehicles |
| 6.6. | Freight transport services by road |
| 6.7. | Inland passenger water transport |
| 6.8. | Inland freight water transport |
| 6.9. | Retrofitting of inland water passenger and freight transport |
| 6.10. | Sea and coastal freight water transport, vessels for port operations and auxiliary activities |
| 6.11. | Sea and coastal passenger water transport |
| 6.12. | Retrofitting of sea and coastal freight and passenger water transport |
| 6.13. | Infrastructure for personal mobility, cycle logistics |
| 6.14. | Infrastructure for rail transport |
| 6.15. | Infrastructure enabling low-carbon road transport and public transport |
| 6.16. | Infrastructure enabling low carbon water transport |
| 6.17. | Low carbon airport infrastructure |
| 7. | Construction and real estate activities |
| 7.1. | Construction of new buildings |
| 7.2. | Renovation of existing buildings |
| 7.3. | Installation, maintenance and repair of energy efficiency equipment |
| 7.4. | Installation, maintenance and repair of charging stations for electric vehicles in buildings (and parking spaces attached to buildings) |
| 7.5. | Installation, maintenance and repair of instruments and devices for measuring, regulation and controlling energy performance of buildings |
| 7.6. | Installation, maintenance and repair of renewable energy technologies |
| 7.7. | Acquisition and ownership of buildings |
| 8. | Information and communication |
| 8.1. | Data processing, hosting and related activities |
| 8.2. | Data-driven solutions for GHG emissions reductions |
| 9. | Professional, scientific and technical activities |
| 9.1. | Close to market research, development and innovation |
| 9.2. | Research, development and innovation for direct air capture of CO2 |
| 9.3. | Professional services related to energy performance of buildings |
| Appendix A | Generic criteria for DNSH to climate change adaptation |
| Appendix B | Generic criteria for DNSH to sustainable use and protection of water and marine resources |
| Appendix C | Generic criteria for DNSH to pollution prevention and control regarding use and presence of chemicals |
| Appendix D | Generic criteria for DNSH to protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems |
| Appendix E | Technical specifications for water appliances |
1. FORESTRY
1.1. Afforestation
Description of the activity
Establishment of forest through planting, deliberate seeding or natural regeneration on land that, until then, was under a different land use or not used. Afforestation implies a transformation of land use from non-forest to forest, in accordance with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (‘FAO’) definition of afforestation ([^E0001]), where forest means a land matching the forest definition as set out in national law, or where not available, is in accordance with the FAO definition of forest ([^E0002]). Afforestation may cover past afforestation as long as it takes place in the period between the planting of the trees and the time when the land use is recognised as a forest.
The economic activities in this category could be associated with NACE code A2 in accordance with the statistical classification of economic activities established by Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006. The economic activities in this category are limited to NACE II 02.10, i.e. silviculture and other forestry activities, 02.20, i.e. logging, 02.30, i.e. gathering of wild growing non-wood products and 02.40, i.e. support services to forestry.
Technical screening criteria
| Substantial contribution to climate change mitigation | Substantial contribution to climate change mitigation |
| 1. Afforestation plan and subsequent forest management plan or equivalent instrument 1.1. The area on which the activity takes place is covered by an afforestation plan of a duration of at least five years, or the minimum period prescribed in national law, developed prior to the start of the activity and continuously updated, until this area matches the definition of forest as set out in national law or where not available, is in line with the FAO definition of forest. The afforestation plan contains all elements required by the national law relating to environmental impact assessment of afforestation. 1.2. Preferably through the afforestation plan, or if information is missing, through any other document, detailed information is provided on the following points: (a) description of the area according to its gazetting in the land registry; (b) site preparation and its impacts on pre-existing carbon stocks, including soils and above-ground biomass, in order to protect land with high carbon stock [^E0003]; (c) management goals, including major constraints; (d) general strategies and activities planned to reach the management goals, including expected operations over the whole forest cycle; (e) definition of the forest habitat context, including main existing and intended forest tree species, and their extent and distribution; (f) compartments, roads, rights of way and other public access, physical features including waterways, areas under legal and other restrictions; (g) measures deployed to establish and maintain the good condition of forest ecosystems; (h) consideration of societal issues (including preservation of landscape, consultation of stakeholders in accordance with the terms and conditions laid down in national law); (i) assessment of forest related risks, including forest fires, and pests and diseases outbreaks, with the aim of preventing, reducing and controlling the risks and measures deployed to ensure protection and adaptation against residual risks; (j) assessment of impact on food security; (k) all DNSH criteria relevant to afforestation. 1.3. When the area becomes a forest, the afforestation plan is followed by a subsequent forest management plan or an equivalent instrument, as set out in national law or, where national law does not define a forest management plan or equivalent instrument, as referred to in the FAO definition of ‘forest area with long-term forest management plan’ [^E0004]. The forest management plan or the equivalent instrument covers a period of 10 years or more and is continuously updated. 1.4. Information is provided on the following points that are not already documented in the forest management plan or equivalent system: (a) management goals, including major constraints [^E0005]; (b) general strategies and activities planned to reach the management goals, including expected operations over the whole forest cycle; (c) definition of the forest habitat context, including main existing and intended forest tree species, and their extent and distribution; (d) definition of the area according to its gazetting in the land registry; (e) compartments, roads, rights of way and other public access, physical features including waterways, areas under legal and other restrictions; (f) measures deployed to maintain the good condition of forest ecosystems; (g) consideration of societal issues (including preservation of landscape, consultation of stakeholders in accordance with the terms and conditions laid down in national law); (h) assessment of forest related risks, including forest fires, and pests and diseases outbreaks, with the aim of preventing, reducing and controlling the risks and measures deployed to ensure protection and adaptation against residual risks; (i) all DNSH criteria relevant to forest management. 1.5. The activity follows the best afforestation practices laid down in national law, or, where no such best afforestation practices have been laid down in national law, the activity complies with one of the following criteria: (a) the activity complies with Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 807/2014 [^E0006]; (b) the activity follows the “Pan-European Guidelines for Afforestation and Reforestation with a special focus on the provisions of the UNFCCC” [^E0007]. 1.6. The activity does not involve the degradation of land with high carbon stock [^E0008]. 1.7. The management system associated with the activity in place complies with the due diligence obligation and legality requirements laid down in Regulation (EU) No 995/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council [^E0009]. 1.8. The afforestation plan and the subsequent forest management plan or equivalent instrument provide for monitoring that ensures the correctness of the information contained in the plan, in particular as regards the data relating to the involved area. 2. Climate benefit analysis 2.1. For areas that comply with the requirements at forest sourcing area level to ensure that carbon stocks and sinks levels in the forest are maintained or strengthened over the long term in accordance with Article 29(7), point (b), of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 the activity complies with the following criteria: (a) the climate benefit analysis demonstrates that the net balance of GHG emissions and removals generated by the activity over a period of 30 years after the beginning of the activity is lower than a baseline, corresponding to the balance of GHG emissions and removals over a period of 30 years starting at the beginning of the activity, associated to the business-as-usual practices that would have occurred on the involved area in the absence of the activity; (b) long-term climate benefits are considered demonstrated by proof of alignment with Article 29(7), point (b), of Directive (EU) 2018/2001. 2.2. For areas that do not comply with the requirements at forest sourcing area level to ensure that carbon stocks and sinks levels in the forest are maintained or strengthened over the long term in accordance with Article 29(7), point (b), of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 the activity complies with the following criteria: (a) the climate benefit analysis demonstrates that the net balance of GHG emissions and removals generated by the activity over a period of 30 years after the beginning of the activity is lower than a baseline, corresponding to the balance of GHG emissions and removals over a period of 30 years starting at the beginning of the activity, associated to the business-as-usual practices that would have occurred on the involved area in the absence of the activity. (b) the projected long-term average net GHG balance of the activity is lower than the long-term average GHG balance projected for the baseline, referred to in point 2.2, where long term corresponds to the longer duration between 100 years and the duration of an entire forest cycle. 2.3. The calculation of climate benefit complies with all of the following criteria: (a) the analysis is consistent with the 2019 Refinement to the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories [^E0010]. The climate benefit analysis is based on transparent, accurate, consistent, complete and comparable information, covers all carbon pools impacted by the activity, including above-ground biomass, below-ground biomass, deadwood, litter and soil, relies on the most conservative assumptions for calculations and includes appropriate considerations about the risks of non-permanence and reversals of carbon sequestration, the risk of saturation and the risk of leakage. (b) the business as-usual practices, including harvesting practices, are ones of the following: (i) the management practices as documented in the latest version of the forest management plan or equivalent instrument before the start of the activity, if any; (ii) the most recent business-as-usual practices prior to the start of the activity; (iii) the practices corresponding to a management system ensuring that carbon stocks and sinks levels in the forest area are maintained or strengthened over the long term as set out in Article 29(7), point (b), of Directive (EU) 2018/2001. (c) the resolution of the analysis is proportionate to the size of the area concerned and values specific to the area concerned are used. (d) emissions and removals that occur due to natural disturbances, such as pests and diseases infestations, forest fires, wind, storm damages, that impact the area and cause underperformance do not result in non-compliance with Regulation (EU) 2020/852, provided that the climate benefit analysis is consistent with the 2019 Refinement to the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories regarding emissions and removals due to natural disturbances. 2.4. Forest holdings under 13ha are not required to perform a climate benefit analysis. 3. Guarantee of permanence 3.1. In accordance with national law, the forest status of the area in which the activity takes place is guaranteed by one of the following measures: (a) the area is classified in the permanent forest estate as defined by the FAO [^E0011]; (b) the area is classified as a protected area; (c) the area is the subject of any legal or contractual guarantee ensuring that it will remain a forest. 3.2. In accordance with national law, the operator of the activity commits that future updates to the afforestation plan and the subsequent forest management plan or equivalent instrument, beyond the activity that is financed, will continue to seek the climate benefits as determined in point 2. Besides, the operator of the activity commits to compensate any reduction in the climate benefit determined in point 2 with an equivalent climate benefit resulting from the conduct of an activity that corresponds to one of the forestry activities defined in this Regulation. 4. Audit Within two years after the beginning of the activity and every 10 years thereafter, the compliance of the activity with the substantial contribution to climate change mitigation criteria and the DNSH criteria are verified by either of the following: (a) the relevant national competent authorities; (b) an independent third-party certifier, at the request of national authorities or the operator of the activity. In order to reduce costs, audits may be performed together with any forest certification, climate certification or other audit. The independent third-party certifier may not have any conflict of interest with the owner or the funder, and may not be involved in the development or operation of the activity. 5. Group assessment The compliance with the criteria for substantial contribution to climate change mitigation and with DNSH criteria may be checked: (a) at the level of the forest sourcing area [^E0012] as defined in Article 2, point (30), of Directive (EU) 2018/2001; (b) at the level of a group of holdings sufficiently homogeneous to evaluate the risk of the sustainability of the forest activity, provided that all those holdings have a durable relationship between them and participate in the activity and the group of those holdings remains the same for all subsequent audits. | 1. Afforestation plan and subsequent forest management plan or equivalent instrument 1.1. The area on which the activity takes place is covered by an afforestation plan of a duration of at least five years, or the minimum period prescribed in national law, developed prior to the start of the activity and continuously updated, until this area matches the definition of forest as set out in national law or where not available, is in line with the FAO definition of forest. The afforestation plan contains all elements required by the national law relating to environmental impact assessment of afforestation. 1.2. Preferably through the afforestation plan, or if information is missing, through any other document, detailed information is provided on the following points: (a) description of the area according to its gazetting in the land registry; (b) site preparation and its impacts on pre-existing carbon stocks, including soils and above-ground biomass, in order to protect land with high carbon stock [^E0003]; (c) management goals, including major constraints; (d) general strategies and activities planned to reach the management goals, including expected operations over the whole forest cycle; (e) definition of the forest habitat context, including main existing and intended forest tree species, and their extent and distribution; (f) compartments, roads, rights of way and other public access, physical features including waterways, areas under legal and other restrictions; (g) measures deployed to establish and maintain the good condition of forest ecosystems; (h) consideration of societal issues (including preservation of landscape, consultation of stakeholders in accordance with the terms and conditions laid down in national law); (i) assessment of forest related risks, including forest fires, and pests and diseases outbreaks, with the aim of preventing, reducing and controlling the risks and measures deployed to ensure protection and adaptation against residual risks; (j) assessment of impact on food security; (k) all DNSH criteria relevant to afforestation. 1.3. When the area becomes a forest, the afforestation plan is followed by a subsequent forest management plan or an equivalent instrument, as set out in national law or, where national law does not define a forest management plan or equivalent instrument, as referred to in the FAO definition of ‘forest area with long-term forest management plan’ [^E0004]. The forest management plan or the equivalent instrument covers a period of 10 years or more and is continuously updated. 1.4. Information is provided on the following points that are not already documented in the forest management plan or equivalent system: (a) management goals, including major constraints [^E0005]; (b) general strategies and activities planned to reach the management goals, including expected operations over the whole forest cycle; (c) definition of the forest habitat context, including main existing and intended forest tree species, and their extent and distribution; (d) definition of the area according to its gazetting in the land registry; (e) compartments, roads, rights of way and other public access, physical features including waterways, areas under legal and other restrictions; (f) measures deployed to maintain the good condition of forest ecosystems; (g) consideration of societal issues (including preservation of landscape, consultation of stakeholders in accordance with the terms and conditions laid down in national law); (h) assessment of forest related risks, including forest fires, and pests and diseases outbreaks, with the aim of preventing, reducing and controlling the risks and measures deployed to ensure protection and adaptation against residual risks; (i) all DNSH criteria relevant to forest management. 1.5. The activity follows the best afforestation practices laid down in national law, or, where no such best afforestation practices have been laid down in national law, the activity complies with one of the following criteria: (a) the activity complies with Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 807/2014 [^E0006]; (b) the activity follows the “Pan-European Guidelines for Afforestation and Reforestation with a special focus on the provisions of the UNFCCC” [^E0007]. 1.6. The activity does not involve the degradation of land with high carbon stock [^E0008]. 1.7. The management system associated with the activity in place complies with the due diligence obligation and legality requirements laid down in Regulation (EU) No 995/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council [^E0009]. 1.8. The afforestation plan and the subsequent forest management plan or equivalent instrument provide for monitoring that ensures the correctness of the information contained in the plan, in particular as regards the data relating to the involved area. 2. Climate benefit analysis 2.1. For areas that comply with the requirements at forest sourcing area level to ensure that carbon stocks and sinks levels in the forest are maintained or strengthened over the long term in accordance with Article 29(7), point (b), of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 the activity complies with the following criteria: (a) the climate benefit analysis demonstrates that the net balance of GHG emissions and removals generated by the activity over a period of 30 years after the beginning of the activity is lower than a baseline, corresponding to the balance of GHG emissions and removals over a period of 30 years starting at the beginning of the activity, associated to the business-as-usual practices that would have occurred on the involved area in the absence of the activity; (b) long-term climate benefits are considered demonstrated by proof of alignment with Article 29(7), point (b), of Directive (EU) 2018/2001. 2.2. For areas that do not comply with the requirements at forest sourcing area level to ensure that carbon stocks and sinks levels in the forest are maintained or strengthened over the long term in accordance with Article 29(7), point (b), of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 the activity complies with the following criteria: (a) the climate benefit analysis demonstrates that the net balance of GHG emissions and removals generated by the activity over a period of 30 years after the beginning of the activity is lower than a baseline, corresponding to the balance of GHG emissions and removals over a period of 30 years starting at the beginning of the activity, associated to the business-as-usual practices that would have occurred on the involved area in the absence of the activity. (b) the projected long-term average net GHG balance of the activity is lower than the long-term average GHG balance projected for the baseline, referred to in point 2.2, where long term corresponds to the longer duration between 100 years and the duration of an entire forest cycle. 2.3. The calculation of climate benefit complies with all of the following criteria: (a) the analysis is consistent with the 2019 Refinement to the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories [^E0010]. The climate benefit analysis is based on transparent, accurate, consistent, complete and comparable information, covers all carbon pools impacted by the activity, including above-ground biomass, below-ground biomass, deadwood, litter and soil, relies on the most conservative assumptions for calculations and includes appropriate considerations about the risks of non-permanence and reversals of carbon sequestration, the risk of saturation and the risk of leakage. (b) the business as-usual practices, including harvesting practices, are ones of the following: (i) the management practices as documented in the latest version of the forest management plan or equivalent instrument before the start of the activity, if any; (ii) the most recent business-as-usual practices prior to the start of the activity; (iii) the practices corresponding to a management system ensuring that carbon stocks and sinks levels in the forest area are maintained or strengthened over the long term as set out in Article 29(7), point (b), of Directive (EU) 2018/2001. (c) the resolution of the analysis is proportionate to the size of the area concerned and values specific to the area concerned are used. (d) emissions and removals that occur due to natural disturbances, such as pests and diseases infestations, forest fires, wind, storm damages, that impact the area and cause underperformance do not result in non-compliance with Regulation (EU) 2020/852, provided that the climate benefit analysis is consistent with the 2019 Refinement to the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories regarding emissions and removals due to natural disturbances. 2.4. Forest holdings under 13ha are not required to perform a climate benefit analysis. 3. Guarantee of permanence 3.1. In accordance with national law, the forest status of the area in which the activity takes place is guaranteed by one of the following measures: (a) the area is classified in the permanent forest estate as defined by the FAO [^E0011]; (b) the area is classified as a protected area; (c) the area is the subject of any legal or contractual guarantee ensuring that it will remain a forest. 3.2. In accordance with national law, the operator of the activity commits that future updates to the afforestation plan and the subsequent forest management plan or equivalent instrument, beyond the activity that is financed, will continue to seek the climate benefits as determined in point 2. Besides, the operator of the activity commits to compensate any reduction in the climate benefit determined in point 2 with an equivalent climate benefit resulting from the conduct of an activity that corresponds to one of the forestry activities defined in this Regulation. 4. Audit Within two years after the beginning of the activity and every 10 years thereafter, the compliance of the activity with the substantial contribution to climate change mitigation criteria and the DNSH criteria are verified by either of the following: (a) the relevant national competent authorities; (b) an independent third-party certifier, at the request of national authorities or the operator of the activity. In order to reduce costs, audits may be performed together with any forest certification, climate certification or other audit. The independent third-party certifier may not have any conflict of interest with the owner or the funder, and may not be involved in the development or operation of the activity. 5. Group assessment The compliance with the criteria for substantial contribution to climate change mitigation and with DNSH criteria may be checked: (a) at the level of the forest sourcing area [^E0012] as defined in Article 2, point (30), of Directive (EU) 2018/2001; (b) at the level of a group of holdings sufficiently homogeneous to evaluate the risk of the sustainability of the forest activity, provided that all those holdings have a durable relationship between them and participate in the activity and the group of those holdings remains the same for all subsequent audits. |
| Do no significant harm (‘DNSH’) | Do no significant harm (‘DNSH’) |
| (2) Climate change adaptation | The activity complies with the criteria set out in Appendix A to this Annex. |
| (3) Sustainable use and protection of water and marine resources | The activity complies with the criteria set out in Appendix B to this Annex. Detailed information referred to in point 1.2. (k) includes provisions to comply with the criteria set out in Appendix B to this Annex. |
| (4) Transition to a circular economy | N/A |
| (5) Pollution prevention and control | The use of pesticides is reduced and alternative approaches or techniques, which may include non-chemical alternatives to pesticides, are favoured, in accordance with Directive 2009/128/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council [^E0013], with exception of occasions where the use of pesticides is needed to control outbreaks of pests and of diseases. The activity minimises the use of fertilisers and does not use manure. The activity complies with Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 of the European Parliament and of the Council [^E0014] or national rules on fertilisers or soil improvers for agricultural use. Well documented and verifiable measures are taken to avoid the use of active ingredients that are listed in Annex I, part A, of Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 [^E0015] of the European Parliament and of the Council [^E0016], the Rotterdam Convention on the prior informed consent procedure for certain hazardous chemicals and pesticides in international trade [^E0017], the Minamata Convention on Mercury [^E0018], the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer [^E0019], and of active ingredients that are listed as classification Ia (‘extremely hazardous’) or Ib (‘highly hazardous’) in the WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard [^E0020]. The activity complies with the relevant national law on active ingredients. Pollution of water and soil is prevented and cleaning up measures are undertaken when pollution occurs. |
| (6) Protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems | In areas designated by the national competent authority for conservation or in habitats that are protected, the activity is in accordance with the conservation objectives for those areas. There is no conversion of habitats specifically sensitive to biodiversity loss or with high conservation value, or of areas set aside for the restoration of such habitats in accordance with national law. Detailed information referred to in points 1.2(k) (Afforestation plan) and 1.4(i) (Forest management plan or equivalent system) include provisions for maintaining and possibly enhancing biodiversity in accordance with national and local provisions, including the following: (a) ensuring the good conservation status of habitat and species, maintenance of typical habitat species; (b) excluding the use or release of invasive alien species; (c) excluding the use of non-native species unless it can be demonstrated that: (i) the use of the forest reproductive material leads to favourable and appropriate ecosystem conditions (such as climate, soil criteria and vegetation zone, forest fire resilience); (ii) the native species currently present on the site are not anymore adapted to projected climatic and pedo-hydrological conditions. (d) ensuring the maintenance and improvement of physical, chemical and biological quality of the soil; (e) promoting biodiversity-friendly practices that enhance forests’ natural processes; (f) excluding the conversion of high-biodiverse ecosystems into less biodiverse ones; (g) ensuring the diversity of associated habitats and species linked to the forest; (h) ensuring the diversity of stand structures and maintenance or enhancing of mature stage stands and dead wood. |
Land with high-carbon stock means wetlands, including peatland, and continuously forested areas within the meaning of Article 29(4)(a), (b) and (c) of Directive (EU) 2018/2001.
Forest area that has a long-term (ten years or more) documented management plan, aiming at defined management goals, and which is periodically revised,
FAO Global Resources Assessment 2020. Terms and definitions (version of 4.6.2021: http://www.fao.org/3/I8661EN/i8661en.pdf).
Including an analysis of (i) long term sustainability of the wood resource (ii) impacts/pressures on habitat conservation, diversity of associated habitats and condition of harvesting minimising soil impacts.
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 807/2014 of 11 March 2014 supplementing Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and introducing transitional provisions (OJ L 227, 31.7.2014, p. 1).
Forest Europe Pan-European Guidelines for Afforestation and Reforestation with a special focus on the provisions of the UNFCCC adopted by the MCPFE Expert Level Meeting on 12-13 November, 2008 and by the PEBLDS Bureau on behalf of the PEBLDS Council on 4 November, 2008 (version of 4.6.2021: https://www.foresteurope.org/docs/other_meetings/2008/Geneva/Guidelines_Aff_Ref_ADOPTED.pdf).
Land with high-carbon stock means wetlands, including peatland, and continuously forested areas within the meaning of Article 29(4)(a), (b) and (c) of Directive (EU) 2018/2001.
Regulation (EU) No 995/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 October 2010 laying down the obligations of operators who place timber and timber products on the market (OJ L 295, 12.11.2010, p. 23).
2019 Refinement to the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories (version of 4.6.2021: https://www.ipcc-nggip.iges.or.jp/public/2019rf/).
Forest area that is designated to be retained as forest and may not be converted to other land use,
FAO Global Resources Assessment 2020. Terms and definitions (version of 4.6.2021: http://www.fao.org/3/I8661EN/i8661en.pdf).
‘Sourcing area’ means the geographically defined area from which the forest biomass feedstock is sourced, from which reliable and independent information is available and where conditions are sufficiently homogeneous to evaluate the risk of the sustainability and legality characteristics of the forest biomass.
Directive 2009/128/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 establishing a framework for Community action to achieve the sustainable use of pesticides (OJ L 309, 24.11.2009, p. 71).
Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019 laying down rules on the making available on the market of EU fertilising products and amending Regulations (EC) No 1069/2009 and (EC) No 1107/2009 and repealing Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003 (OJ L 170, 25.6.2019, p. 1).
Which implements in the Union the Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants (OJ L 209, 31.7.2006, p. 3.).
Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on persistent organic pollutants (OJ L 169, 25.6.2019, p. 45).
Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade (OJ L 63, 6.3.2003, p. 29).
Minamata Convention on Mercury (OJ L 142, 2.6.2017, p. 6.).
[^E0019]: (17)
Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (OJ L 297, 31.10.1988, p. 21).
[^E0020]: (18)
The WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard (version 2019), (version of 4.6.2021: https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/332193/9789240005662-eng.pdf?ua=1).
1.2. Rehabilitation and restoration of forests, including reforestation and natural forest regeneration after an extreme event
Description of the activity
Rehabilitation and restoration of forests as defined by national law. Where national law does not contain such a definition, rehabilitation and restoration corresponds to a definition with broad agreement in the peer-reviewed scientific literature for specific countries or a definition in line with the FAO concept of forest restoration ([^E0021]) or a definition in line with one of the definitions of ecological restoration ([^E0022]) applied to forest, or forest rehabilitation ([^E0023]) under the Convention on Biological Diversity ([^E0024]). The economic activities in this category also include forest activities in line with the FAO definition of ‘reforestation’ ([^E0025]) and ‘naturally regenerating forest’ ([^E0026]) after an extreme event, where extreme event is defined by national law, and where national law does not contain such a definition, is in line with the IPCC definition of extreme weather event ([^E0027]); or after a wildfire, where wildfire is defined by national law, and where national law does not contain such a definition, as defined in the European Glossary for wildfires and forest fires ([^E0028]).
The economic activities in this category imply no change of land use and occurs on degraded land matching the forest definition as set out in national law, or where not available, in accordance with the FAO definition of forest ([^E0029]).
The economic activities in this category could be associated with NACE code A2 in accordance with the statistical classification of economic activities established by Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006. The economic activities in this category are limited to NACE II 02.10, i.e. silviculture and other forestry activities, 02.20, i.e. logging, 02.30, i.e. gathering of wild growing non-wood products and 02.40, i.e. support services to forestry.
Technical screening criteria
| Substantial contribution to climate change mitigation | Substantial contribution to climate change mitigation |
| 1. Forest management plan or equivalent instrument 1.1. The activity takes place on area that is subject to a forest management plan or an equivalent instrument, as set out in national law or, where national law does not define a forest management plan or equivalent instrument, as referred to in the FAO definition of ‘forest area with long-term forest management plan’ [^E0030]. The forest management plan or the equivalent instrument covers a period of 10 years or more, and is continuously updated. 1.2. Information is provided on the following points that are not already documented in the forest management plan or equivalent system: (a) management goals, including major constraints [^E0031]; (b) general strategies and activities planned to reach the management goals, including expected operations over the whole forest cycle; (c) definition of the forest habitat context, including main existing and intended forest tree species, and their extent and distribution; (d) definition of the area according to its gazetting in the land registry; (e) compartments, roads, rights of way and other public access, physical features including waterways, areas under legal and other restrictions; (f) measures deployed to maintain the good condition of forest ecosystems; (g) consideration of societal issues (including preservation of landscape, consultation of stakeholders in accordance with the terms and conditions laid down in national law); (h) assessment of forest related risks, including forest fires, and pests and diseases outbreaks, with the aim of preventing, reducing and controlling the risks and measures deployed to ensure protection and adaptation against residual risks; (i) all DNSH criteria relevant to forest management. 1.3. The sustainability of the forest management systems, as documented in the plan referred to in point 1.1, is ensured by choosing the most ambitious of the following approaches: (a) the forest management matches the applicable national definition of sustainable forest management; (b) the forest management matches the Forest Europe definition [^E0032] of sustainable forest management, and complies with the Pan-European Operational Level Guidelines for Sustainable Forest Management [^E0033]; (c) the management system in place complies with the forest sustainability criteria laid down in Article 29(6) of Directive (EU) 2018/2001, and as of the date of its application with the implementing act on operational guidance for energy from forest biomass adopted under Article 29(8) of that Directive. 1.4. The activity does not involve the degradation of land with high carbon stock [^E0034]. 1.5. The management system associated with the activity in place complies with the due diligence obligation and legality requirements laid down in Regulation (EU) No 995/2010. 1.6. The forest management plan or equivalent instrument provides for monitoring which ensures the correctness of the information contained in the plan, in particular as regards the data relating to the involved area. 2. Climate benefit analysis 2.1. For areas that comply with the requirements at forest sourcing area level to ensure that carbon stocks and sinks levels in the forest are maintained or strengthened over the long term in accordance with Article 29(7), point (b), of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 the activity complies with the following criteria: (a) the climate benefit analysis demonstrates that the net balance of GHG emissions and removals generated by the activity over a period of 30 years after the beginning of the activity is lower than a baseline, corresponding to the balance of GHG emissions and removals over a period of 30 years starting at the beginning of the activity, associated to the business-as-usual practices that would have occurred on the involved area in the absence of the activity; (b) long-term climate benefits are considered demonstrated by proof of alignment with Article 29(7), point (b), of Directive (EU) 2018/2001. 2.2. For areas that do not comply with the requirements at forest sourcing area level to ensure that carbon stocks and sinks levels in the forest are maintained or strengthened over the long term in accordance with Article 29(7), point (b), of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 the activity complies with the following criteria: (a) the climate benefit analysis demonstrates that the net balance of GHG emissions and removals generated by the activity over a period of 30 years after the beginning of the activity is lower than a baseline, corresponding to the balance of GHG emissions and removals over a period of 30 years starting at the beginning of the activity, associated to the business-as-usual practices that would have occurred on the involved area in the absence of the activity. (b) the projected long-term average net GHG balance of the activity is lower than the long-term average GHG balance projected for the baseline, referred to in point 2.2, where long term corresponds to the longer duration between 100 years and the duration of an entire forest cycle. 2.3. The calculation of climate benefit complies with all of the following criteria: (a) the analysis is consistent with the 2019 Refinement to the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories [^E0035]. The climate benefit analysis is based on transparent, accurate, consistent, complete and comparable information, covers all carbon pools impacted by the activity, including above-ground biomass, below-ground biomass, deadwood, litter and soil, relies on the most conservative assumptions for calculations and includes appropriate considerations about the risks of non-permanence and reversals of carbon sequestration, the risk of saturation and the risk of leakage. (b) the business-as-usual practices, including harvesting practices, are one of the following: (i) the management practices as documented in the latest version of the forest management plan or equivalent instrument before the start of the activity, if any; (ii) the most recent business-as-usual practices prior to the start of the activity; (iii) the practices corresponding to a management system ensuring that carbon stocks and sinks levels in the forest area are maintained or strengthened over the long term as set out in Article 29(7), point (b), of Directive (EU) 2018/2001. (c) the resolution of the analysis is proportionate to the size of the area concerned and values specific to the area concerned are used. (d) emissions and removals that occur due to natural disturbances, such as pests and diseases infestations, forest fires, wind, storm damages, that impact the area and cause underperformance do not result in non-compliance with Regulation (EU) 2020/852, provided that the climate benefit analysis is consistent with the 2019 Refinement to the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories regarding emissions and removals due to natural disturbances. 2.4. Forest holdings under 13ha are not required to perform a climate benefit analysis. 3. Guarantee of permanence 3.1. In accordance with national law, the forest status of the area in which the activity takes place is guaranteed by one of the following measures: (a) the area is classified in the permanent forest estate as defined by the FAO [^E0036]; (b) the area is classified as a protected area; (c) the area is the subject of any legal or contractual guarantee ensuring that it will remain a forest. 3.2. In accordance with national law, the operator of the activity commits that future updates to the forest management plan or equivalent instrument, beyond the activity that is financed, will continue to seek the climate benefits as determined in point 2. Besides, the operator of the activity commits to compensate any reduction in the climate benefit determined in point 2 with an equivalent climate benefit resulting from the conduct of an activity that corresponds to one of the forestry activities defined in this Regulation. 4. Audit Within two years after the beginning of the activity and every 10 years thereafter, the compliance of the activity with the substantial contribution to climate change mitigation criteria and the DNSH criteria are verified by either of the following: (a) the relevant national competent authorities; (b) an independent third-party certifier, at the request of national authorities or the operator of the activity. In order to reduce costs, audits may be performed together with any forest certification, climate certification or other audit. The independent third-party certifier may not have any conflict of interest with the owner or the funder, and may not be involved in the development or operation of the activity. 5. Group assessment The compliance with the criteria for substantial contribution to climate change mitigation and with DNSH criteria may be checked: (a) at the level of the forest sourcing area [^E0037] as defined in Article 2, point (30), of Directive (EU) 2018/2001; (b) at the level of a group of holdings sufficiently homogeneous to evaluate the risk of the sustainability of the forest activity, provided that all those holdings have a durable relationship between them and participate in the activity and the group of those holdings remains the same for all subsequent audits. | 1. Forest management plan or equivalent instrument 1.1. The activity takes place on area that is subject to a forest management plan or an equivalent instrument, as set out in national law or, where national law does not define a forest management plan or equivalent instrument, as referred to in the FAO definition of ‘forest area with long-term forest management plan’ [^E0030]. The forest management plan or the equivalent instrument covers a period of 10 years or more, and is continuously updated. 1.2. Information is provided on the following points that are not already documented in the forest management plan or equivalent system: (a) management goals, including major constraints [^E0031]; (b) general strategies and activities planned to reach the management goals, including expected operations over the whole forest cycle; (c) definition of the forest habitat context, including main existing and intended forest tree species, and their extent and distribution; (d) definition of the area according to its gazetting in the land registry; (e) compartments, roads, rights of way and other public access, physical features including waterways, areas under legal and other restrictions; (f) measures deployed to maintain the good condition of forest ecosystems; (g) consideration of societal issues (including preservation of landscape, consultation of stakeholders in accordance with the terms and conditions laid down in national law); (h) assessment of forest related risks, including forest fires, and pests and diseases outbreaks, with the aim of preventing, reducing and controlling the risks and measures deployed to ensure protection and adaptation against residual risks; (i) all DNSH criteria relevant to forest management. 1.3. The sustainability of the forest management systems, as documented in the plan referred to in point 1.1, is ensured by choosing the most ambitious of the following approaches: (a) the forest management matches the applicable national definition of sustainable forest management; (b) the forest management matches the Forest Europe definition [^E0032] of sustainable forest management, and complies with the Pan-European Operational Level Guidelines for Sustainable Forest Management [^E0033]; (c) the management system in place complies with the forest sustainability criteria laid down in Article 29(6) of Directive (EU) 2018/2001, and as of the date of its application with the implementing act on operational guidance for energy from forest biomass adopted under Article 29(8) of that Directive. 1.4. The activity does not involve the degradation of land with high carbon stock [^E0034]. 1.5. The management system associated with the activity in place complies with the due diligence obligation and legality requirements laid down in Regulation (EU) No 995/2010. 1.6. The forest management plan or equivalent instrument provides for monitoring which ensures the correctness of the information contained in the plan, in particular as regards the data relating to the involved area. 2. Climate benefit analysis 2.1. For areas that comply with the requirements at forest sourcing area level to ensure that carbon stocks and sinks levels in the forest are maintained or strengthened over the long term in accordance with Article 29(7), point (b), of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 the activity complies with the following criteria: (a) the climate benefit analysis demonstrates that the net balance of GHG emissions and removals generated by the activity over a period of 30 years after the beginning of the activity is lower than a baseline, corresponding to the balance of GHG emissions and removals over a period of 30 years starting at the beginning of the activity, associated to the business-as-usual practices that would have occurred on the involved area in the absence of the activity; (b) long-term climate benefits are considered demonstrated by proof of alignment with Article 29(7), point (b), of Directive (EU) 2018/2001. 2.2. For areas that do not comply with the requirements at forest sourcing area level to ensure that carbon stocks and sinks levels in the forest are maintained or strengthened over the long term in accordance with Article 29(7), point (b), of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 the activity complies with the following criteria: (a) the climate benefit analysis demonstrates that the net balance of GHG emissions and removals generated by the activity over a period of 30 years after the beginning of the activity is lower than a baseline, corresponding to the balance of GHG emissions and removals over a period of 30 years starting at the beginning of the activity, associated to the business-as-usual practices that would have occurred on the involved area in the absence of the activity. (b) the projected long-term average net GHG balance of the activity is lower than the long-term average GHG balance projected for the baseline, referred to in point 2.2, where long term corresponds to the longer duration between 100 years and the duration of an entire forest cycle. 2.3. The calculation of climate benefit complies with all of the following criteria: (a) the analysis is consistent with the 2019 Refinement to the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories [^E0035]. The climate benefit analysis is based on transparent, accurate, consistent, complete and comparable information, covers all carbon pools impacted by the activity, including above-ground biomass, below-ground biomass, deadwood, litter and soil, relies on the most conservative assumptions for calculations and includes appropriate considerations about the risks of non-permanence and reversals of carbon sequestration, the risk of saturation and the risk of leakage. (b) the business-as-usual practices, including harvesting practices, are one of the following: (i) the management practices as documented in the latest version of the forest management plan or equivalent instrument before the start of the activity, if any; (ii) the most recent business-as-usual practices prior to the start of the activity; (iii) the practices corresponding to a management system ensuring that carbon stocks and sinks levels in the forest area are maintained or strengthened over the long term as set out in Article 29(7), point (b), of Directive (EU) 2018/2001. (c) the resolution of the analysis is proportionate to the size of the area concerned and values specific to the area concerned are used. (d) emissions and removals that occur due to natural disturbances, such as pests and diseases infestations, forest fires, wind, storm damages, that impact the area and cause underperformance do not result in non-compliance with Regulation (EU) 2020/852, provided that the climate benefit analysis is consistent with the 2019 Refinement to the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories regarding emissions and removals due to natural disturbances. 2.4. Forest holdings under 13ha are not required to perform a climate benefit analysis. 3. Guarantee of permanence 3.1. In accordance with national law, the forest status of the area in which the activity takes place is guaranteed by one of the following measures: (a) the area is classified in the permanent forest estate as defined by the FAO [^E0036]; (b) the area is classified as a protected area; (c) the area is the subject of any legal or contractual guarantee ensuring that it will remain a forest. 3.2. In accordance with national law, the operator of the activity commits that future updates to the forest management plan or equivalent instrument, beyond the activity that is financed, will continue to seek the climate benefits as determined in point 2. Besides, the operator of the activity commits to compensate any reduction in the climate benefit determined in point 2 with an equivalent climate benefit resulting from the conduct of an activity that corresponds to one of the forestry activities defined in this Regulation. 4. Audit Within two years after the beginning of the activity and every 10 years thereafter, the compliance of the activity with the substantial contribution to climate change mitigation criteria and the DNSH criteria are verified by either of the following: (a) the relevant national competent authorities; (b) an independent third-party certifier, at the request of national authorities or the operator of the activity. In order to reduce costs, audits may be performed together with any forest certification, climate certification or other audit. The independent third-party certifier may not have any conflict of interest with the owner or the funder, and may not be involved in the development or operation of the activity. 5. Group assessment The compliance with the criteria for substantial contribution to climate change mitigation and with DNSH criteria may be checked: (a) at the level of the forest sourcing area [^E0037] as defined in Article 2, point (30), of Directive (EU) 2018/2001; (b) at the level of a group of holdings sufficiently homogeneous to evaluate the risk of the sustainability of the forest activity, provided that all those holdings have a durable relationship between them and participate in the activity and the group of those holdings remains the same for all subsequent audits. |
| Do no significant harm (‘DNSH’) | Do no significant harm (‘DNSH’) |
| (2) Climate change adaptation | The activity complies with the criteria set out in Appendix A to this Annex. |
| (3) Sustainable use and protection of water and marine resources | The activity complies with the criteria set out in Appendix B to this Annex. Detailed information referred to in point 1.2. (i) includes provisions to comply with the criteria set out in Appendix B to this Annex. |
| (4) Transition to a circular economy | The silvicultural change induced by the activity on the area covered by the activity is not likely to result in a significant reduction of sustainable supply of primary forest biomass suitable for the manufacturing of wood-based products with long-term circularity potential. This criterion may be demonstrated through the climate benefits analysis referred to in point (2). |
| (5) Pollution prevention and control | The use of pesticides is reduced and alternative approaches or techniques, which may include non-chemical alternatives to pesticides, are favoured, in accordance with Directive 2009/128/EC, with exception of occasions where the use of pesticides is needed to control outbreaks of pests and of diseases. The activity minimises the use of fertilisers and does not use manure. The activity complies with Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 or national rules on fertilisers or soil improvers for agricultural use. Well documented and verifiable measures are taken to avoid the use of active ingredients that are listed in the Annex I, part A, of Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 [^E0038], the Rotterdam Convention on the prior informed consent procedure for certain hazardous chemicals and pesticides in international trade, the Minamata Convention on Mercury, the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, and of active ingredients that are listed as classification Ia (‘extremely hazardous’) or Ib (‘highly hazardous’) in the WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard. The activity complies with the relevant national law on active ingredients. Pollution of water and soil is prevented and cleaning up measures are undertaken when pollution occurs. |
| (6) Protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems | In areas designated by the national competent authority for conservation or in habitats that are protected, the activity is in accordance with the conservation objectives for those areas. There is no conversion of habitats specifically sensitive to biodiversity loss or with high conservation value, or of areas set aside for the restoration of such habitats in accordance with national law. Detailed information referred to in point 1.2.(i) includes provisions for maintaining and possibly enhancing biodiversity in accordance with national and local provisions, including the following: (a) ensuring the good conservation status of habitat and species, maintenance of typical habitat species; (b) excluding the use or release of invasive alien species; (c) excluding the use of non-native species unless it can be demonstrated that: (i) the use of the forest reproductive material leads to favourable and appropriate ecosystem conditions (such as climate, soil criteria and vegetation zone, forest fire resilience); (ii) the native species currently present on the site are not anymore adapted to projected climatic and pedo-hydrological conditions. (d) ensuring the maintenance and improvement of physical, chemical and biological quality of the soil; (e) promoting biodiversity-friendly practices that enhance forests’ natural processes; (f) excluding the conversion of high-biodiverse ecosystems into less biodiverse ones; (g) ensuring the diversity of associated habitats and species linked to the forest; (h) ensuring the diversity of stand structures and maintenance or enhancing of mature stage stands and dead wood. |
Forest area that has a long-term (ten years or more) documented management plan, aiming at defined management goals, and which is periodically revised.
FAO Global Resources Assessment 2020. Terms and definitions (version of 4.6.2021: http://www.fao.org/3/I8661EN/i8661en.pdf).
Including an analysis of (i) long term sustainability of the wood resource (ii) impacts/pressures on habitat conservation, diversity of associated habitats and condition of harvesting minimizing soil impacts.
The stewardship and use of forests and forest lands in a way, and at a rate, that maintains their biodiversity, productivity, regeneration capacity, vitality and their potential to fulfil, now and in the future, relevant ecological, economic and social functions, at local, national, and global levels, and that does not cause damage to other ecosystems.
Resolution H1 General Guidelines for the Sustainable Management of Forests in Europe Second Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe (Forest Europe), 16-17 June 1993, Helsinki/Finland (version of 4.6.2021: https://www.foresteurope.org/docs/MC/MC_helsinki_resolutionH1.pdf ).
Annex 2 of the Resolution L2. Pan-European Operational Level Guidelines for Sustainable Forest Management. Third Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe 2-4 June 1998, Lisbon/Portugal (version of 4.6.2021: https://foresteurope.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/MC_lisbon_resolutionL2_with_annexes.pdf#page=18).
Land with high-carbon stock means wetlands, including peatland, and continuously forested areas within the meaning of Article 29(4)(a), (b) and (c) of Directive (EU) 2018/2001.
[^E0035]: (6)
2019 Refinement to the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories (version of 4.6.2021: https://www.ipcc-nggip.iges.or.jp/public/2019rf/).
[^E0036]: (7)
Forest area that is designated to be retained as forest and may not be converted to other land use,
(FAO Global Resources Assessment 2020. Terms and definitions version of 4.6.2021: http://www.fao.org/3/I8661EN/i8661en.pdf).
‘Sourcing area’ means the geographically defined area from which the forest biomass feedstock is sourced, from which reliable and independent information is available and where conditions are sufficiently homogeneous to evaluate the risk of the sustainability and legality characteristics of the forest biomass.
[^E0038]: (9)
Which implements in the Union the Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants (OJ L 209, 31.7.2006, p. 3).
1.3. Forest management
Description of the activity
Forest management as defined by national law. Where national law does not contain such a definition, forest management corresponds to any economic activity resulting from a system applicable to a forest that influences the ecological, economic or social functions of the forest. Forest management assumes no change in land use and occurs on land matching the definition of forest as set out in national law, or where not available, in accordance with the FAO definition of forest ([^E0039]).
The economic activities in this category could be associated with NACE code A2 in accordance with the statistical classification of economic activities established by Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006. The economic activities in this category are limited to NACE II 02.10, i.e. silviculture and other forestry activities, 02.20, i.e. logging, 02.30, i.e. gathering of wild growing non-wood products and 02.40, i.e. support services to forestry.
Technical screening criteria
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