Page 47 - Green knowledge 2024

Photo: Erling Fløistad
How to strengthen Europe’s forests
A sustainable and resilient forestry sector is crucial for facilitating the green transition
from fossil resources to renewable inputs. As one of Europe’s leading forest research
institutes, NIBIO is part of the newly established “For Forest Group+”.
Europe can expect increased demand for for-
est-based materials from its woodlands as CO2-in-
tensive fossil materials are phased out. A healthy and
sustainable forest will be key to achieving climate
targets while providing good habitats for both wild-
life and people.
“Research is essential for developing forest manage-
ment systems that balance production and sustaina-
bility in a changing climate,” says Bjørn Håvard
Evjen, Director of NIBIO’s Division of forest and
forest resources.
At the same time, there is a need to develop new
value chains for high-value products derived from
forest biomass. Evjen explains that sustainably man-
aged forests are Europe’s strength and that the
region has the potential to enhance its competitive-
ness through well-functioning forest-based value
chains.
“This requires new investments in competitive value
chains, increased innovation, and a market willing-
ness to adopt future solutions.”
To achieve this, NIBIO collaborates with leading
forest research institutes in Europe through the
newly established strategic network, “For Forest
Group+.” The aim is to promote informal research
on productivity and sustainability, share insights,
and leverage results across borders to strengthen
European forestry.
A single solution or management system is insuffi-
cient to meet the various demands on forests. We
must utilise the best available knowledge and
develop national and regional adaptations to tackle
site-specific challenges.
“The future will require more multifunctional man-
agement strategies and operational methods based
on the most current research,” Evjen says.
Purpose: Collaboration: Contact: European collaboration among forest research institutes for the sustainable utilisation of
European forests.
Sixteen member countries from the EU and Europe, including Finland’s Luke, SkogForsk in
Sweden, Slovenia’s Forestry Institute, and the Austrian Research Centre for Forests
Director Bjørn Håvard Evjen, Division of Forest and Forest Resources.
Email: bjorn.havard.evjen@nibio.no | Phone: 901 28 872
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