The five forest-climate protection projects in Vorarlberg cover an area of 12,836 hectares and play a crucial role in preserving biodiversity, enhancing carbon

sequestration, and promoting sustainable forestry in the region.

The project forests of Stand Montafon, FBG Klostertal, FBG Jagdberg, the forest of the City of Bludenz, and the City of Dornbirn offer a unique habitat for plants and animals. They are not only crucial for protection against natural disasters such as avalanches and floods but also of great importance for maintaining the quality of drinking water.

The close-to-nature management promotes biodiversity and strives for stable mixed stands adapted to the respective locations. It contributes to supporting natural processes in the forest, such as the formation of deadwood, nesting trees, and natural forest rejuvenation.

Overall, the forests play an indispensable role in the global effort to combat climate change by sequestering carbon, stabilizing ecosystems, and protecting the environment. This contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helps mitigate global warming. These forests are of immeasurable value for future generations and global climate protection.

Actions

Over the 30-year duration of the projects, it is expected that the project's total carbon sequestration capacity will exceed 1,325,820 tCO₂e. Forest owners use the additional income to create a climate-resilient forest. This involves planting tree species that can withstand the challenges of climate change while contributing to the rejuvenation of protective forests. In addition, new developments simplify management and enable better management of calamities and windthrow.

Sustainability

Projects must be planned and implemented over generations to create and maintain a climate-resilient forest.

The 30-year project duration can be extended as needed. The income directly invested in the forest allows for forestry measures such as reforestation, addressing extreme weather events, and developing new roads and pathways. This contributes to the long-term preservation of the forest and effective carbon sequestration.

Additionality

The project's additionality is ensured by the voluntary commitment of forest owners to retain a certain proportion of the total wood volume. This value is set at a scientifically optimal level. Without the additional income from this project, the extra measures to ensure a climate-resilient forest would most likely not take place. Supporting these projects helps make a long-term contribution to ecosystem protection and climate resilience.

Measurement

The baseline values have been assessed for their applicability in the project's context. They originate from the forestry context of Austria and Switzerland and adhere to sound, scientifically supported forestry practices.

The reliability of measurements is further enhanced by an on-site inspection at the beginning of the project. During the audit, forest areas at all stages of development were inspected by TÜV Austria. Additionally, general forestry measures and potential risks and threats to the forest were considered to assess current conditions and future developments in light of forestry measures.

The verification of timber harvest quantities is conducted through annual timber harvest reporting. Forest owners have established an action plan that is independently reviewed by a third party to ensure implementation.

Risk mitigation

Nature-oriented projects include a 10% risk buffer to account for the significant risks of various disruptive factors. These include challenges such as severe bark beetle infestations and a variety of extreme weather events, including dry summer periods, landslides, heavy rainfall, and windthrow.

Risks are mitigated through the implementation of measures to create a climate-resilient forest. This includes improved development of forest areas and the planting of resilient tree species. Planting new tree species results in a diverse and future-proof forest.