Background
Forests have always played a major role in the supply of wood as a raw material for the traditional forest products industry, as well as wood for energy purpose. More recently, in the framework of climate change discussions and energy security, wood gained greater attention as a carbon neutral energy to replace non-renewable energy sources.
Policy and decision makers started promoting the use of wood as an energy source. This, combined with rising energy prices, is leading to an increase in wood demand. The traditional use of wood in Europe (sawmills, paper, panels) continues to expand as well. Thus, the competition for wood for bio-energy versus wood for traditional industry is an increasing challenge in many European countries.
On the other hand, forest inventories have shown, that in most European forests, annual growth exceeds by far the volume of wood harvested. Therefore several stakeholders are now considering how best to mobilise additional wood resources to satisfy demand for both raw material and energy. But this has also raised questions about the impacts of increased wood mobilisation: How to handle emerging conflicts? How to elaborate ‘win-win’ solutions for all stakeholders without threatening sustainable forest management?
Objectives
This workshop aims to deliver:
Strategies for mobilising wood given a constantly increasing demand
Better understanding of impacts and effects of increased wood mobilisation on different sectors
Recommendations to policy-makers and stakeholders on these issues
Input to the Warsaw Ministerial Conference in November 2007.
Topics
Improving efficiency and logistics in the wood supply chain

Reaching the small-scale owner

How should and how do policy processes interact (at national and international level)?

Economic incentives versus market driven processes (competitivity)

Impacts of increased wood mobilisation on multifunctional forestry

Effects of higher wood supply on forest ecosystems

Energy security and renewability

Target audience

Experts and decision makers of different stakeholders and countries will participate in the workshop:

Governments and EU institutions, International organisations

Forest Services, Forest owners, Contractors, Forest based industries, pulp & paper industries and related associations

Energy industry and related associations

Environmental NGOs and other NGOs

Research organisations and universities