How can the ambitious goals for the EU’s future bioeconomy be supported by sustainable and efficient wood sourcing practices?

Abstract

Satisfying an increasing wood demand for material and energy in EU’s future bioeconomy is a big challenge. Under the spotlight of EU’s climate and energy policies, wood is a key contributor to the renewable energy targets. The aim of our paper is to review and discuss how forests and wood can sustainably and efficiently contribute to such intensified goals. EU’s existing legal frameworks for legal timber harvesting (EUTR), renewable energy use (EU-RED) and waste treatment give valuable principles for EU’s Member States and market sectors. Nevertheless, an efficient wood cascade should first be part of widespread certification, directly at the first intake of harvested logs. One extra issue–guaranteeing efficient use of forest fibers–could be included, to maintain optimum fiber cascading. This prevents a first intake of high-quality wood for energy (pellet mills) or paper production (pulp mills). Second, extra support can be considered for harvested high-quality trees, for example, via the use of wood in buildings and wood for construction. Third, more attention is needed on an European level for innovation at the end of life, like using post-consumer wood waste for wood-based panels or wood pellets, pulp waste for new bioeconomy products and improved efficiency processes for recycling and incineration.