Nordic policy overview for meeting the LULUCF climate goals

Addressing a Nordic Knowledge Gap

The Nordic countries face significant challenges in meeting their climate targets in the LULUCF sector. (Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry) Declining forest growth, high harvesting levels, increasing natural disturbances, and accounting rules that complicate compliance all contribute to a complex situation. At the same time, the Nature Restoration Regulation introduces new requirements for ecosystem restoration – requirements that often overlap with, or even conflict with, climate policy objectives and forestry interests.

Although several countries have undertaken national analyses, a coherent Nordic perspective is lacking. This project addresses this knowledge gap by mapping, comparing, and analysing strategies, governance approaches, and practical measures across the Nordic Region, including the self‑governing territories.

The project will:

• Map national strategies and obligations related to the LULUCF Regulation and the Nature Restoration Regulation.
• Identify and analyse policy instruments and technical measures that can strengthen net carbon uptake while promoting biodiversity.
• Examine trade‑offs, synergies, and governance challenges across policy domains.
• Explore opportunities for Nordic knowledge exchange and policy transfer.