Climate change and biodiversity loss are two of the most pressing challenges of our time. These crises are deeply interconnected, creating complex risks that threaten ecosystems, human wellbeing, and the economy. Yet, current decision-making and land-use planning often fail to account for this interconnectedness, limiting the effectiveness of adaptation strategies.

To address this gap, the European Union has launched Trees4Adapt – Addressing complex risks from climate change and biodiversity loss across systems and scales: Leveraging the potential of tree-based solutions for adaptation in Europe, a Horizon Europe project under the Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change. Starting in October 2025 and running for four years, Trees4Adapt brings together 12 partners from across Europe, coordinated by the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), with a budget of €4 million. The project aims to improve understanding of risks from climate change and biodiversity loss and support decision-makers in designing and implementing nature-based solutions involving trees (“tree-based solutions”) that build resilience, conserve and restore biodiversity, and avoid maladaptation.

“Mitigation will not help us fast enough - the time is for adaptation,” said Prisca Haemers, Policy Officer for the Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change, during the project’s kick-off meeting. “Projects like Trees4Adapt are essential to accelerate Europe’s resilience and must work together through the Mission networks to maximise impact.”

Trees4Adapt combines cutting-edge research with practical solutions. It uses long-standing European research platforms to study how different tree species and mixtures deliver multiple benefits, including buffering microclimates and strengthening ecosystems. The project will also assess the economic viability of tree-based solutions through bioeconomic and spatial modelling, creating scenarios that show how different decisions could shape future landscapes.

To ground this work in specific local contexts, Trees4Adapt draws on three case studies. In Finland’s boreal forests, researchers are building on unique forest diversity experiments to see how increasing tree species and genetic diversity can improve resilience in planted forest landscapes. In Germany, the focus is on agroforestry networks and how integrating trees into farming systems can boost biodiversity and support farmers. In Portugal, the case study examines Mediterranean landscapes recovering from wildfires, investigating whether greater tree diversity can slow fire spread and accelerate recovery. From the start, Trees4Adapt works hand-in-hand with local stakeholders and EU-level actors to co-create solutions that are practical and ready for real-world application.

The project kicked off with a two-day meeting in Helsinki in November, where partners came together to set priorities and explore strategies for impact. The sessions were lively and forward-looking, featuring opportunities to connect with related projects and discuss case studies, modelling approaches, and stakeholder engagement plans. Partners also embraced Finnish traditions with a ferry ride to the historic Suomenlinna fortress and a sauna evening, moments that strengthened connections and set the tone for a partnership built on trust and shared goals.

Building on this inspiring start, part of the consortium travelled to western Finland to visit the Satakunta tree species diversity experiment, a major focus of the Finnish case study and one of the first experiments of its kind in the world. Established 26 years ago in multiple sites across Satakunta by researchers at the University of Turku, this long-term research platform offers unique insights into how tree diversity shapes forest resilience. Partners explored experimental plots and discussed how decades of research can guide adaptation strategies across Europe. The visit was led by Professor Julia Koricheva (Royal Holloway) and University Lecturer Kai Ruohomäki, (University of Turku), two of the original founders and Trees4Adapt partners. The first snowfall of the season made the experience unforgettable, and we thank A.Ahlström, the Finnish company that owns and manages the Harjahovi forest estate where the experimental site is located, for their support and participation in the discussions.

The visit also provided the perfect occasion to meet local stakeholders and begin shaping solutions together. Participants in the first stakeholder meeting in the Pori public library included forest economy activists, nature conservation advocates, researchers, planners, educators, and even a “climate doctor”, a medical doctor addressing the links between climate change and health. Their message was clear:

“Less talk, more action - we need results that can trigger concrete changes.”

Stakeholders shared expectations for the project and discussed how the Satakunta experiment could inform local forestry guidelines and management strategies. The conversations highlighted the urgency for evidence-based solutions that balance biodiversity with economic realities and the importance of co-creating approaches that deliver tangible benefits for communities and ecosystems.

ERINN Innovation leads the dissemination and communication activities within Work Package 5 of Trees4Adapt. The team ensures the project’s visibility and impact by developing strategic messaging, managing dissemination channels, and helping project outputs reach relevant audiences across Europe.

"Trees4Adapt is a very promising project. It brings together highly skilled and motivated people with a shared goal: adapting to climate change while protecting forests and biodiversity, essential to our world. The project begins with lots of optimism and great ideas, giving me hope that we can achieve meaningful change!" said Mathilde Vidal, ERINN Innovation, Project Communications.

Over the next four years, Trees4Adapt will turn research into action, providing guidance and tools to help communities and policymakers make informed choices. These results will feed directly into EU policies and investment plans, ensuring that Europe is better prepared for climate change while safeguarding biodiversity.