The policy brief “Adaptation of trees and forests to climate change: the importance of genetic variability” is derived from the BiodivERsA-funded LinkTree project, which examined the genetic variation within forest tree populations in five European countries, and assessed how this variability and its management could help forests adapt to environmental changes. Although LinkTree did not directly address current policies, the new knowledge highlights the key role of genetic diversity of trees in determining forest resilience. Results indicate that wise use of genetic diversity can improve forest management practices and implementation of relevant policies, for example such as theEU Forest Strategy,the EU and National Climate Change Adaptation strategies, and the EU 2020 Biodiversity Strategy.