Forest biodiversity is protected both through conservation and active management. Surprisingly, the goals and methods for environmental management are very similar across Europe: specifically, more deadwood, ecological corridors, natural regeneration, and bird protection.

In this regard, the most comprehensive report on environmental management in European managed forests was produced in Switzerland: How to balance forestry and biodiversity? A view on Europe

The report's authors (Frank Krumm, Andreas Schuck, Andreas Rigling) emphasise overall sustainability in the context of forests. Environmental management in managed forests is important not only because it ensures timber production, but because it is simultaneously friendly to both people and the environment. Sustainable timber harvesting is a crucial component of a sustainable economy in Europe. The report stresses that Europe must be self-sufficient in terms of wood products.