Unleashing the full power of research and innovation of the EU forest-based sector

With its unique innovation portfolio and many technological solutions, the forest-based sector can foster the transition to a reliable, sustainable and competitive energy system and contribute to reducing the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG), while improving sustainable land use and forest management. This message was delivered to journalists by Johan Elvnert, Managing Director of the Forest-based Sector Technology Platform (FTP), at a meeting today at the European Forestry House (EFH), in Brussels. Discussions focused on the implications of the Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) regulation, following the vote of the European Parliament Committee on Environment that took place on 11 July 2017.

“It is FTP’s role to inform the European Commission where the technological bottlenecks are and what solutions the forest-based sector can offer to address pressing societal concerns”, explained Elvnert in relation to FTP’s advisory role in shaping EU funding for research and innovation. The sector can sustain the transition to a low-carbon green economy by supplying additional forest biomass to the market. To achieve this, the forest-based sector will need to sustainably increase harvesting possibilities in Europe by 30% up to 2030. “FTP contributes to this endeavour by ensuring that EU funding for innovation meets such targets”, he added.

Since its launch in 2014, the EU Research and Innovation Framework Programme Horizon 2020 has funded more than 30 research and innovation projects in the sector, which cover aspects of enhanced biomass production, efficient use of wood, and responsible management of forest resources. For Elvnert, this fact demonstrates that public authorities are confident that the sector can deliver innovative solutions.

“The mitigation potential of the sector goes beyond the carbon sinks in our forests. Carbon is stored in all harvested wood products and in many innovative biobased materials that have the potential to substitute fossil-based materials, fuels and products. Building new, wood-based buildings and cities is the smartest way to use materials with low embodied energy, and thus, fulfil the Paris Agreement”, he concluded.

During the event, the Secretary-General of the Confederation of European Forest Owners (CEPF), Emma Berglund, and the Executive Director of the European State Forest Association (EUSTAFOR), Piotr Borkowski, also shared their reactions to the vote of the Environment Committee.

About FTP

FTP is the European technology platform for the forest-based sector. It is the meeting place for industry and forest owners to discuss and decide on common research and innovation needs for the whole sector and is also a primary contact point for the European Commission with regards forest-based research and innovation. Since its establishment in 2005, FTP has helped to attract more than EUR 1 billion of public funding in cooperative research and innovation projects, improving the competitiveness and sustainability of the European forest-based sector and also addressing the sector’s long-term goals. The Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI), Confederation of European Forest Owners (CEPF), European State Forest Association (EUSTAFOR) and European Confederation of Woodworking Industries (CEI-Bois) are FTP shareholders.

Download related materials

• Innovation in motion: FTP addressing the RTD&I bottlenecks in climate and energy
• LULUCF: Forestry, paper and agri-sectors team up in favour of a dynamic forest reference level.

Contacts

Ms Thaís Mattos
Communications & Project Officer, FTP
T: +32 (0) 2 239 2308
M: +32 (0) 484 90 44 09
Email: thais.mattos@forestplatform.org

Ms Heini Hyrkkö
Communications & Project Assistant, FTP
T: +32 (0) 2 239 2310
M: +32 (0) 487 15 01 94
Email: heini.hyrkko@forestplatform.org

Source

Forest-based Sector Technology Platform (FTP), press release, 2017-07-12.

Supplier

Confederation of European Forest Owners (CEPF)
Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI)
Confederation of Woodworking Industries (CEI-Bois)
European Commission
European Parliament
European State Forest Association (EUSTAFOR)
Forest-based Sector Technology Platform (FTP)

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