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A forest-based bioeconomy can = replace carbon- and resource-intensive materials with long-lived wood product= s and advanced bioproducts.
With the right regulation and investment,= a forest=E2=80=91based bioeconomy can support climate and nature goals, rura= l livelihoods, and low=E2=80=91carbon industries.
A new publication b= y the Science-Policy Programme (SciPol) of the International Union of Forest = Research Organizations (IUFRO) offers guidance to harness the full potential = of forests while safeguarding their ecological integrity globally.=C2=A0

(Vienna, 12 May 2026)=C2=A0Today=C2=A0IUFRO= 's SciPol Programme presents an=C2=A0Expanded Policy Brief on Advancing Forest-Based Bioeconomy App= roaches at the 21st Session of the United Nations Forum = on Forests (UNFF21) in New York, USA. 34 authors from 13 countries have contr= ibuted to this publication consolidating key scientific evidence, policy insi= ghts, and practical perspectives on how sustainable forest-based bioeconomy a= pproaches can be advanced across different contexts worldwide. The Policy Bri= ef is launched at a side-event titled "Vienna Call for Action: The power of f= orest-based bioeconomy", which is a follow-up to the Global Summit=C2=A0Advancing Sustainable Fo= rest-based Bioeconomy Approaches, held in Vienna, Austria, in Februar= y 2026.

In recent years, the urgency of addressing interconnected = global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, resource insecur= ity, and growing socio-economic inequalities has become increasingly evident.= These pressures are further intensified by often inefficient production and = consumption patterns. Consequently, there is a need for transformation to bal= ance economic development with environmental and biodiversity goals and socia= l well-being.

A forest-based bioeconomy offers a powerful pathway = to address these challenges. It goes beyond wood products and bioenergy, enco= mpassing the full range of forest types, their goods and ecosystem services. = Sustainably managed forests can provide renewable materials, bioenergy, and o= ther ecosystem services while supporting livelihoods, strengthening rural eco= nomies, and contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation.
These opportunities are already visible in practice across different regi= ons. From mass timber buildings in cities like Singapore and Amsterdam to nat= ional programmes supporting timber construction in Europe,=C2=A0the use of wo= od supported by strong sustainability safeguards is increasing as a low-carbo= n alternative in the built environment. At the same time, value chains based = on non-wood forest products, such as baobab in Africa or a=C3=A7a=C3=AD in th= e Amazon, show how forests can generate income and innovation, while also req= uiring strong sustainability safeguards. These examples highlight that succes= sful forest-based bioeconomy pathways depend on context-specific solutions, s= trong governance, and inclusive value chains.

As IUFRO President <= i>Professor Daniela Kleinschmit notes, "When grounded in principle= s of sustainability, equity, and resilience, forest-based bioeconomy strategi= es can play a central role in advancing circular economies and delivering on = multiple global commitments, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG= s), the Paris Agreement, and the Global Biodiversity Framework among others."= =C2=A0

Global demand for wood and bio-based materials is expected = to continue rising, driven by population growth, urbanization and the transit= ion away from fossil-based resources. Overall material use has more than trip= led over the past 50 years and could increase by a further 60% by 2060.=C2=A0= Biomass currently supplies roughly a quarter of global material needs.=C2=A0M= eeting this demand sustainably will require a combination of strategies, incl= uding improved productivity in both natural and planted forests, more efficie= nt manufacturing and higher value use of wood resources, alongside strong gov= ernance frameworks to ensure sustainability.

Dr. Nelson Grima, Coordinator of=C2=A0IUFRO's SciPol Programme and c= o-editor of the publication explains, "This new Policy Brief is intended to i= nform policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders engaged in the forest sec= tor and the broader bioeconomy transformation. It synthesizes scientific evid= ence and practical experience to identify actionable policy options that acce= lerate a sustainable, inclusive, just, and circular forest-based bioeconomy."= =C2=A0

Download:=C2=A0Expanded Policy Brief

Editors= : Ivana =C5=BDivojinovi=C4=87, Nelson Grima, Maja Radosavljevi=C4=87=C2=A0
Lead Authors: (in alphabetical order) Eric Hansen; Tim Payn; = Lucia Pittaluga; Ricardo Vargas Carpintero; Ivana =C5=BDivojinovi=C4=87=C2=A0=

Contributing Authors (in alphabetical order) Maria Luiza A= lmeida Luz; Siebe Briers; Lyndall Bull; Jimmy Chamberlain; Damiano Cilio; Jan= a=C3=ADna D.A.S. Diniz; Dietrich Darr; Peter Edwards; Herrick Fox; Martin Gre= imel; Nelson Grima; Stojan Ivanovi=C4=87; Felix Kanungwe Kalaba; Anu Laakkone= n; Stefanie Linser; Nata=C5=A1a Lovri=C4=87; Robert Mavsar; Kathrin Meinhold;= Rajat Panwar; Mi Sun Park; Helga P=C3=BClzl; Maja Radosavljevi=C4=87; Radek = Rinn; J=C3=B6rg Schweinle; Carsten Smith-Hall; Daniel Moura da Costa Teixeira= ; Diana Tomasjukka; Anne Toppinen; Richard Yao

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Media contact: Gerda Wolfrum, wolfrum(at)iufro.org, +43-664-142-6852

About the Sci= ence-Policy Programme (SciPol) of IUFRO:

The Science-Poli= cy Programme (SciPol) of IUFRO provides a mechanism for effectively mobilizin= g scientific expertise and information to equip governments and intergovernme= ntal processes with solid knowledge for making decisions that affect forests,= trees, and land use regionally and globally.=C2=A0

Visit<= /strong>:=C2=A0IUFRO: Science-Policy Programme / Scien= ce in IUFRO

About the International Union of Fores= t Research Organizations (IUFRO):

The International Union= of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) is a non-profit and non-governmenta= l worldwide network of 15,000 forest scientists across 120 countries, who wor= k together to enhance the understanding of the ecological, economic and socia= l aspects of forests and trees. Founded in 1892, IUFRO is headquartered in Vi= enna, Austria.=C2=A0

Visit:=C2=A0IUFRO - Home

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