Removing CO2 from the atmosphere is called “Carbon Dioxide Removal” (CDR). Research into various methods for achieving CDR is currently taking place around the world. . Examples could be the rewetting of moors, humus creation in agriculture or suitable systems for filtering and storing CO2 (so-called direct air capture and storage - DACCS).
A method already used today is afforestation and reforestation. Therefore, in 2021 we began working with the Count of Arco's forestry administration to convert forest areas in Bavaria into a resilient “climate forest”. This enables the forest to bind additional CO2 from the atmosphere, which should remain bound in the long term through the further use as construction or furniture wood.
The MUC Climate Forest that we operate jointly with Munich Airport is unique in Germany. Our goal is to generate additional CO2 storage through intelligent forest conversion.
But the benefits of our forests go beyond this: The forest serves as a place for recreation and leisure activities and is of paramount importance for biodiversity and even noise protection.
The most common tree in modern commercial forests is the spruce. At the moment, however, it is suffering from the effects of climate change. As a tree attuned to higher altitudes , it does not tolerate higher temperatures or long dry phases and is vulnerable to pests. Not only do ailing forests mean less income for foresters, the disappearance of recreation areas and less biodiversity, they also store less CO2.
The solution is to include more species resilient to climate change in the tree population that can live healthily for an average of at least 75 years. Over time, the forest becomes resilient to climate change.In combination with an improved forest management this leads to a higher storage capacity for CO2 in the long run.
The areas for the MUC Climate Forest planned by Munich Airport is provided by the Count von Arco’sche Forest Administration. The five project locations in the Tertiary Hill Country and the floodlands of Lower Bavaria are in the districts of Regensburg, Rottal-Inn, Deggendorf, Dingolfing-Landau and Landshut.
The entire project area will eventually cover around 1,900 hectares of land.
The projects started in 2021.
The development stage for the MUC Climate Forest will last around 30 years. This will be followed by a maintenance phase, a use phase and a regeneration phase.
In line with internationally recognized forest conservation projects, the project is planned to last for 90 years so that a maximal amount of CO2 can be incorporated by the trees.
Timber growth will be constantly monitored and calculated based on forest inventories carried out every 10 years.
You will find ongoing reporting, descriptions, evaluations, results and reports here soon.
In Germany, forests are part of the national CO2 inventory. They may therefore not be used by companies, for example, to offset CO2 in voluntary climate protection projects. For this reason, Munich Airport acquires an additional international CO2 certificate for every ton of CO2 stored regionally in the climate forest. In this way, it is possible for the increased CO2 stored in the MUC climate forest to be used by Munich Airport for offsetting. The certificates are managed by project partner ClimatePartner.
While the MUC Climate Forest can’t offset very much CO2 at the start of the project, this capacity will increase to about 7,000 tons of CO2 annually by the middle of the century. In 2035, the storage capacity is expected to be around 2,500 tons of CO2.
Forests do not only create jobs, they also provide local recreation and play a key role in biodiversity as an undisturbed habitat for many plants and animals. A forest with trees in all growth stages and where species are as climate resilient as possible enjoys far greater biodiversity than a normal commercial forest. This can also improve biological diversity in the local area.
Undisturbed habitats and the diversity of species make the MUC Climate Forest a safe haven for endangered species. It provides ideal conditions for a huge increase in the number of insects, bird species, mammal populations and plant species.
Arco’sche Forstverwaltung
Prof. Dr. Thomas Seifert
Professur für Waldwachstum und Dendroökologie
Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg
