(d)in the case of afforestation operations leading to the creation of forests of a size exceeding a certain threshold, to be defined by Member States, the operation shall consist of either:

12. Stresses that according to scientific research, managed forests have a higher CO2 absorption capacity than unmanaged forests; recognises, therefore, the important role of managed forests in climate change mitigation efforts and in generating employment in rural areas; underlines the importance of sustainable forest management in maximising the carbon sequestration potential of EU forests;

11. Considers that the objective included in the EU Forest Strategy of enhancing the contribution of forests and the forest sector to rural development, biodiversity, sustainable growth and job creation must take full account of the economic, social, cultural and environmental goods and services provided by forests, including recreation and tourism services, and in particular the important role that well-managed forests and wood-based material play in reducing CO2 emissions, storing carbon and moving towards a bioeconomy, which are im ...[+++]portant elements of EU climate policy;

13. Considers that active forest management is important for its contribution to the EU2020 Strategy and its key element of creating growth and jobs, as well as the EU’s energy strategy and that the great potential of forests as a renewable source of energy and provider of naturally renewable materials is currently being underexploited; accordingly welcomes the Commission’s public consultation initiative regarding the role of agriculture and forestry in achieving climate-change objectives;

27. Calls for further action on research, education and information regarding the risks of climate change for forests and the forestry sector, as well as for long-term planning by the forestry industry, the regions and the Member States; stresses the need for better coordination of European and national research programmes on the risks of climate change for forests and the forestry sector; calls on the Commission to examine the p ...[+++]ossibility of setting up a reference website with digital mapping of forest areas and their authorised uses, NATURA areas and rare ecosystems, in order to provide government services, citizens and companies with better information;

56. Considers it necessary to encourage and support the setting up of associations of producers and forest management bodies practising SFM, particularly in areas characterised by small forests, as this will help to balance the supply of the many goods and services that forests can provide; considers that such associations and bodies would strengthen producers' bargaining power in the timber supply chain, helping to provide and create a level playing field while contributing simultaneously to tackling the problems of the economic crisis, international competition and climate change and combating illegal logging;