To Harvest or to Save

2015 is a major year for climate and development policy. In the autumn, important negotiations on worldwide climate goals will take place in Paris, and 2015 is also the European Year for Development.

At the invitation of the Section for Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment (NAT), Pekka Kauppi, Professor of Environmental Science and Policy at the University of Helsinki, has been in Brussels to talk about the importance of wood in fighting climate change.

Save and harvest wood

Professor Kauppi's advice is simple: grow more trees, use more wood. "There is still a lot of potential for using wood in construction and for industrial purposes", he said. Wood is also an important fuel; however, it should not be its first use, but rather forests should be used according to the cascade principle[i]. Wood is being continuously grown in Europe, which is a good thing; however, wood also needs to be managed. Finland, Sweden and Austria are positive examples of the intensive use of wood. But more has to be done. As much of the wood in Europe is in private hands, the EU and Member States should develop rules and regulations that attract land owners to forest management. "It is not only about the financial attraction, but also about giving incentives - ideas worth having and worth putting into practice", Professor Kauppi said.

It is also important to strengthen the development of a European/global wood market.

Help the developing world to preserve and extend its wood supply

With regard to developing countries Professor Kauppi said "Food is the first priority. I like forests and trees, but if there is a competition between growing food or growing trees, food comes first." Scientists are now looking at the potential of extending wood production while not competing with food production. Africa and India, for example, still have a lot of potential for growing wood. Furthermore, many are also valuable sources of food.

Mr Kauppi is convinced that Europe and the developed world could help with direct technical assistance and expertise, but the best way is through education. "Education is the most important instrument, because then people can learn to understand ecological interrelations and this is an incentive which should not be underestimated".

[i] According to the cascade principle, wood should be used in the following order of priority: wood-based products, re-use, recycling, bioenergy and disposal.