text: As part of this focus on strict protection, it will be crucial to define, map, monitor and 
  **strictly protect all the EU’s remaining primary and old-growth forests**25. It will also 
  be important to advocate for the same globally and ensure that EU actions do not result in 
  deforestation in other regions of the world. Primary and old-growth forests are the richest 
  forest ecosystems that remove carbon from the atmosphere, while storing significant 
  carbon stocks. Significant areas of other carbon-rich ecosystems, such as peatlands, 
  grasslands, wetlands, mangroves and seagrass meadows should also be strictly protected, 
  taking into account projected shifts in vegetation zones. 
  
  Member States will be responsible for designating the additional protected and strictly 
  protected areas26. Designations should either help to complete the Natura 2000 network 
  or be under national protection schemes. All protected areas will need to have clearly 
  defined conservation objectives and measures. The Commission, working with Member 