France Aims to Plant 1 Billion Trees to Combat Heatwaves, Experts Warn of Water Shortages and Temperature Challenges

PARIS, July 7 (CNA) -- The French government's goal to plant 1 billion trees by 2032 to combat heatwaves has drawn criticism and warnings from politicians, ecologists, and environmental research institutions. Notably, the very "trees" considered a solution face water scarcity challenges during heatwaves. Finding tree species that are both heat-resistant and cold-tolerant is proving to be a significant challenge for scientists.

Le Monde reported that France is experiencing its third heatwave of the year, starting on July 6th and expected to last for 12 days, posing a renewed threat to ecosystems and infrastructure.

Under severe climate change, to ensure French forests continue to provide societal values such as climate regulation, ecological resources, and economic development, the French government has prioritized the policy of "planting 1 billion trees by 2032." The government's official website states that the interim goal by the end of 2026 is to plant 467 million trees, with 126 million already planted using public funds.

In addition to planting trees, the policy includes renewing 10% of forests. This encompasses rebuilding forests severely affected by heatwaves, droughts, insect infestations, or wildfires, adjusting forest compositions with species that may not adapt to future climates, and promoting species that can sequester carbon and produce timber. Currently, the government is assisting private and public forest owners in forest renewal through the "France 2030" investment plan and financial mechanisms.

Les Echos reported that the southern French city of Toulouse, aiming to mitigate the urban heat island effect, planted 110,000 trees between 2020 and early 2026. This initiative drew criticism from city councilor Hélène Cabanes of the Green Party, who warned, "We cannot let the number of trees planted become a propaganda slogan, as sufficient land is needed for trees to thrive."

Joël Amossé, head of the Urban Nature unit at Cerema, a public research institution that has assisted local governments with tree planting for years, told Le Parisien, "Generally, the space required for tree roots is about equivalent to the area of the canopy." However, he noted that urban underground spaces are often filled with pipelines, making it challenging to find suitable locations for planting trees.

Gabrielle Huart, head of the government's biodiversity project, told Le Parisien that "greening policies need to establish water retention systems for trees," such as removing asphalt surfaces and strengthening permeable measures to allow rainwater to seep into the soil instead of flowing into sewers.

Nathalie Machon, a professor of ecology at the National Museum of Natural History in France, also cautioned Le Parisien, "An oak tree needs to consume up to 1000 liters of water per day to maintain its temperature, but only if it can absorb that much water first."

Machon emphasized, "Future tree planting must select species that are heat-resistant and whose roots can reach deep underground to find water sources," as many trees during heatwaves already show signs of sunburn, leaf drop, and bark peeling due to water scarcity. Previously common tree species may no longer be able to adapt to future climate change; for example, beech trees might disappear from the outskirts of Paris within decades.

Therefore, selecting tree species has become a major hurdle for urban greening. An official in charge of public green spaces for the Paris City Hall told Le Parisien that Paris might introduce more heat-resistant Mediterranean species in the future, such as oaks, elms, or lindens, "but these species may not be able to withstand winter frosts."

Between 2018 and 2024, the Paris City Hall conducted research on nine tree species. The results showed that "the 'shade' formed by clusters of trees is the key to providing localized cooling." The current strategy for scientists is to increase species diversity as much as possible, ensuring that at least one out of every five trees survives. (Editor: Tang Sheng-yang) 0707

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