Polish forests on the International Forest Day

The total result of CO2 absorption by the land use and forestry sector (LULUCF) in 2019 was 17 million tonnes of CO2, and in the previous year - 38 million tonnes of CO2. For comparison, the emissions of the Bełchatów Power Plant are approximately 30 million tonnes per year.

forest in the sunlight
Beeld: ©A.Murawska

Forests absorbed over 15.1 million tons of CO2, and a year earlier it was as much as 36 million tons (data for 2021). In Poland, forests occupy less than 31% area. Pine accounts for about 60% of all trees in forests. The most popular deciduous trees in Poland are oaks, ash, maples and also birches.

Poles like to point out that this is a country that has a lot of forests, is green, has a lot of areas not yet affected by intensive human activities. Poland is often referred to by Poles themselves as "the green lungs of Europe" (a few years ago there was even an advertising campaign in line with such slogans).

forest with trees and bushes during cloudy wheather
Beeld: ©A.Murawska

The Polish administration also draws attention to the high share of green areas (forests, parks, lawns and estate greenery) in the city area, including forests. Sopot 58.5%, Zielona Góra 53.1%, Gdynia - 45%, and Katowice - 42.8% are in the lead.