The conference gathered around 180 participants with presentations covering challenges and good stories from different parts of the forest-based sector supply chain. In the opening session, Lena Ek, Chair of the FTP Board, reminded that only 100 companies have been the source of more than 70% of the world GHG emissions over the past decade by pursuing coal, oil and gas projects. In this context, she stated that “The forest sector is here to provide solutions to climate change”.
In 2018, FTP launched Vision 2040 of the Forest-based Sector which aims at making the sector more innovative and dynamic, and in order to reach the goal, sets ten targets for the sector. The just published Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SIRA) 2030 of the European Forest-based Sector aims at implementing Vision 2040 by identifying challenges for reaching the targets and presenting samples of research and innovation activities as a solution. Johan Elvnert, FTP Managing Director, presented the SIRA 2030 at the conference. “Making Europe the world’s first climate-neutral continent is within reach but requires more innovative initiatives and research-based actions. SIRA 2030 will play an important role in reaching EU climate and energy policy objectives and the discussion on more ambitious emission reduction targets for 2030.”, said Mr Elvnert.
During the break of the conference, participants could also learn more about research and innovation challenges in the forest sector thanks to an exhibition of current projects, including projects related to forest management e.g. mapping and observation tools, breeding programs etc.
As one of the founding members of FTP, CEPF fully supports the FTP 2040 vision and hopes that the SIRA 2030 will be used in a near future to define EU Research and Innovation priorities and to implement this policy through concrete projects in line with the challenges identified by the sector.
