LIFE CLIMARK: Forest management promotion for climate change mitigation through the design of a local climate credits market

European forests play a crucial role in Europe’s carbon balances—their climate change mitigation impact accounts for 13% of all EU emissions. This is mainly due to their carbon storage capacity, carbon fixation in trees and in wood products, and their replacement of fossil fuels. However, in recent years the first symptoms of forest carbon sink saturation have been observed and are predicted to get worse. Reversing this trend will require forest management practices which strengthen the capacity of forests to mitigate the effects of climate change. There are currently no specific incentives in place to encourage this forest management approach, despite being crucial to guaranteeing forest profitability in the Mediterranean. The LIFE CLIMARK project contributes to climate change mitigation and adaptation by increasing the carbon sink capacity of Mediterranean forests and protecting their carbon stocks. It promotes multifunctional forest management through the creation of a climate credits market for incentivising innovative forest management. It consists in management of forest masses being regenerated following fires (Quercus suber, Pinus halepensis, P. sylvestris, Q. faginea). Forest management in adult forests (Q. suber, P. halepensis, P. sylvestris, P. nigra).Forestry and agroforestry plantations. Management practices which impact soil carbon. Strategic forest fire prevention. Design and pilot testing of a climate credits market based on scientific knowledge and local participation. Communication and dissemination of the results and replication of the project.