On 21 March the European Sawmill Organisation celebrated the International Forest Day by co-hosting a high level discussion where representatives of the industry and of green interests confirmed their commitment to identifying solutions for a sustainable and environmentally friendly economic growth.

The European Sawmill Industries recognise that “it is imperative to combat climate change and at the same time avoid curbing economic and social development. Sustainably managed forests and products derived from these forests play an essential role in mitigating climate change by reducing greenhouse gases emissions and contribute to an environmental-friendly economic growth. The positive effects of using wood from sustainably managed forests can be strengthened if actions are taken to use more long-life wood products.”

In the framework of this event and aiming informing policy makers about the environmental benefits of using sustainable wood materials, EOS published an article published in the “The Forest City Project magazine" by Revolve. 

With a new European Parliament and European Commission expected by the second half of 2019, the article aims at being a tool for demanding that forests and sustainable wood products are valued for their role in climate change mitigation.

In view of this specific political momentum, the purpose of the article is twofold:

• Summarising the role of wood in a climate change prospective;
• Presenting the Sawmill Industries Blueprint for EU Climate Action on Forests & Wood Products.

EOS warmly thanks the speakers of this event: Malwina Nowakowska, Deputy Head of Unit, Resource Efficiency and Raw Materials at European Commission (DG GROW) • Tapio Kytola, Senior Specialist, agriculture and forestry matters at the Permanent Representation of Finland to the EU • Hugo Schally, Head of Unit, Multilateral Environmental Co-operation (DG ENV) • Michael Proschek-Hauptmann, Head of Compliance and Sustainability, Schweighofer Group • Hannah Mowat, Campaigns Coordinator, FERN • Andreas Kleinschmit von Lengefeld, Directeur Innovation Recherche et International at the “Institut technologique” FCBA.

Download the #Wood4Climate Article and "A Blueprint for EU Climate Action on Forests & Wood Products"