Recent studies indicate that Finnish forests, which have historically acted as carbon sinks, have transitioned into carbon sources since 2021. The Natural Resources Institute of Finland (LUKE) reports that despite forest growth surpassing felling and natural loss, this growth no longer compensates for the increased carbon emissions from forest soils. The decline began around 2010 and accelerated after 2018. Factors contributing to this shift include rising temperatures that elevate soil emissions, declining tree growth, and increased deforestation. This trend is not isolated to Finland; similar patterns are observed across Europe, where forest disturbances have risen over the past three decades, while carbon dioxide uptake by vegetation has stagnated since the 2000s.
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