Protecting old-growth forests in Europe has become a critical task as they play a crucial role in biodiversity and climate protection. Despite the European Union’s pledge, legislation to safeguard these vital remnants is yet to be enforced in many member states, resulting in their fast depletion. To preserve these unique forests, comprehensive mapping of old-growth forests, stalling logging activities in these areas, and providing fair financial compensation to forest owners are crucial steps. Incomplete maps of old-growth forests locations hinder their conservation, and a systematic mapping effort is urgently needed to generate the requisite basis for their sufficient protection. The EU needs to immediately adopt a logging ban on areas likely to contain old-growth forests to avert their depletion before identification. Member states must make it mandatory to include old-growth forest protection in their national strategies, and fair financial compensation is vital for sustainable forest management. It is high time to act and preserve these irreplaceable forests for future generations.
