Thematic assessment on the impact of RDP forestry measures on climate change

This thematic evaluation focuses on Sub-measure 8.1 (commitments arising from previous programming periods in the case of reforestation and creation of forest areas).

The analyses carried out to date on Priority 5 within the framework of the RDP evaluation work are limited. The monitoring of the numerical figures provided by the planned indicators does not provide sufficient information to understand the effect of the RDP on the issues addressed, so it was considered necessary to deepen the analysis. In particular, this analysis focuses on Sub-measure 8.1, programmed in Focus Area 5E (Promotion of carbon conservation and sequestration in the agricultural and forestry sectors).

Measure 8 is programmed to meet the following needs identified in the SWOT analysis: strengthen the link between agricultural activity, natural values and the maintenance of the Balearic territory; address damage caused by forest fires; maintain the landscape richness and fight erosion; and promote the capture of CO2 through the maintenance of agricultural activity.

The actions supported by Measure 8 must be in line with the Balearic Islands' forestry action plan. The plan is conceived as a strategic master plan, whose purpose is the organisation and strategic planning of the Balearic forest policy in all its aspects of conservation, protection and management, providing the appropriate regulatory, administrative and budgetary framework for its own development and seeking its integration both in agricultural policy and the sustainable development of the rural environment, as well as in environmental protection policy and spatial planning, as well as in other sectoral policies involved in the forest areas and resources of the island, especially in relation to industry and energy, education and tourism.

This measure includes, among its lines of action, Sub-measure 8.1, which is analysed in this report and addresses the commitments made during the period 1993-1999 to compensate for the loss of income resulting from the afforestation of agricultural land, which is to be maintained for 20 years.

A comparison has been made between the area supported by Measure 8.1 and the most recent reforestation carried out in the autonomous community between 2005 and 2019. Additionally, an analysis of the evolution of forest masses in the autonomous community (soil uses and tree formations), through the third National Forest Inventory (IFN3, 2006) and the fourth National Forest Inventory (IFN4, 2012).

Statistical data on forest repopulations in the Balearic Islands have been collected and published by the ministry of the environment (MITECO). According to these data, the area repopulated in the autonomous community between 2005 and 2019 reaches 966.9 ha.

The payments for this support began in 2016, covering 41 actions and benefiting 31 beneficiaries. The associated afforested area, which is contributing to carbon capture and conservation, is 536.10 hectares. The level of progress is 98% with respect to the programmed budget. If we compare with data on reforestation from MITECO, the evaluation can conclude that the 2014-2020 RDP is supporting an area equivalent to more than half of the whole area.

According to the National Forest Inventory, in the Balearic Islands, the forest area type woodland (coverage equal to or greater than 20%) grew by 8.03%, while the dispersed woodland (coverage between 10% to 20%) did so by 4.41%. This is a positive development, which has also been supported by afforestation of agricultural land supported by the RDPs.

According to MITECO statistical data, considering the area repopulated in the autonomous community between 2005 and 2019 (966.9 ha), the evaluation can conclude that the 2014-2020 RDP supports an area equivalent to more than half of these actions, accounting for 55.45% of the total area.

Meanwhile, the fourth plan of defence against forest fires of the Balearic Islands, approved by Decree 22/2015, estimates, as a benefit of preventive actions, such as those promoted by M8.3, a fixation of 4 332 kt of CO2.