What are the challenges that climate change and the current large-scale forest damages pose for the forest and wood sector? What is needed to respond both in a crisis, like the large-scale bark beetle damage we experienced in the past years, and what changes do we need to guarantee the long-term sustainability and resilience of the forest value chain? On Tuesday 16th of May 2023, Gesche Schifferdecker (RESONATE’s Comms Manager) moderated a high-level panel organized by the German Forestry Council and Wald und Holz NRW, with participation of the State Secretary of North Rhine Westphalia, the German Forestry Council, representatives of woodworking machinery, the sawmill industry, the Thünen Institute, and more. The panel focused on the challenges climate change and the current forest damages pose for the forest and wood cluster. Other topics discussed were the transformation towards a modern, resource-efficient and climate-neutral economy which is creating increased demand and new potential for wood as a raw material. The panelists were also encouraged to draw conclusions on how the value chain can collaborate better to be better prepared for climate change and disturbances, e.g. via working more with damaged wood, using more broadleaved species or diversifying forest management for several ecosystem services instead of mainly focussing on wood production. The event was attended by more than 50 participants from the forest policy, science and the value chain sectors, and part of the LIGNA trade fair.
All images in the text by Wald und Holz NRW / pk-Media
