The Executive Director of the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (International Union of Forest Research Organizations, IUFRO), Alexander Buck (Alexander Buck), believes that proposals and regulations concerning forests and forestry are being unjustifiably applied to all European Union member states in the same way, overlooking national differences. This approach should be considered flawed, he explains, adding that too few specialists associated with the forest sector are being involved in the preparation of European Commission proposals.
“Given the large number of proposals that directly or indirectly affect forests, it is clear that information about forests and forest management is insufficient for both decision-makers and those submitting proposals,” the IUFRO Executive Director notes in an interview with the communications and media agency Audiomedia. He identifies the main problem as the concept that forestry-related proposals are applicable to all member states in the same way, without taking existing differences into account. “Even if Austria, Sweden, and Finland are to some extent similar in terms of forestry, EU proposals are not applicable to all member states equally.”
Finland and Sweden are located in the boreal coniferous zone. In the north of these countries, there is tundra, which is either open land or home to small, thin trees. Central Europe, on the other hand, is in the temperate zone with deciduous forests, Southern Europe is in the Mediterranean zone, and in Eastern Europe, for example in Romania, grassy steppes can also be found...
Information about forests must be clearer and more professional
Alexander Buck describes communication between decision-makers and the general public as complicated: “We must be able to communicate the facts at our disposal more effectively and professionally. Our message must be conveyed clearly and understandably to various stakeholder groups and social media users.”
“Forests that grow and regenerate play a major role in both carbon sequestration and the planned transition away from the use of fossil products. EU climate policy is relying too heavily on forests,” the IUFRO Executive Director believes.
“I am not satisfied with how forestry is reflected in European Union policy proposals; namely, it is largely portrayed as a one-sided solution to the climate problem. It should be taken into account that the main and most important task is to reduce the use of fossil resources,” points out Alexander Buck. For example, the Deforestation Regulation adopted last June provides for a very labour-intensive identification system to track wood raw materials. It must be remembered that forestry measures do not result in deforestation everywhere. In Finland (as well as in the Baltic states and elsewhere), logging does not mean a change in land use; legislation strictly stipulates – forests must be regenerated!
Researchers must remain neutral
Alexander Buck assesses that conversations and disputes about forestry in Europe are polarized: “As politicians, researchers, European non-governmental organisations, and environmental activists all participate in the debates, the main question is – how to reconcile forest conservation and forest use goals.” According to A. Buck, for research to be trusted by the wider public, researchers should focus solely on science and not become involved in negotiations regarding forest use.
The IUFRO Executive Director explains: “I know that various research groups are trying to influence the European Commission. This can undermine the credibility of research as a unified structure with a single message.”
IUFRO, which is led by A. Buck, is an organisation that is maximally oriented towards scientific issues. Its task is to prepare scientific assessments, reports, and reviews for decision-makers. IUFRO is an international network of forest science cooperation that brings together about 650 member organisations and hundreds of researchers from more than 125 countries.
“We strive to improve the understanding of the ecological, financial, and social spheres of forests and forestry. Our task is to create research-based information for decision-making.” Alexander Buck emphasises the high level of Finnish forestry research: “Finland is an excellent example of how to build functional cooperation between the private sector, the industry, and scientists.”
Compensation for forest owners
The IUFRO Executive Director calls for the creation of a system that would allow forest owners to earn income from managed forests in the future as well. “If people want to preserve forests as carbon sinks and create ecosystem services for their recreational use, the lost income of forest owners must be compensated.”
A. Buck urges decision-makers to more actively implement political measures to promote research and the development of new wood products and timber constructions, noting that the forest sector should be allocated funds for research, design, and development, which would result in new products. Funds are also necessary for the collection and synthesis of information obtained in research so that it can serve the making of sensible decisions regarding forests and forestry. “The global population is increasing, and a large number of homes and various structures will be needed – this is one of the reasons why the use of renewable natural resources will continue to increase, both now and in the future.”
Alexander Buck emphasises that he looks to the future positively: “Forests and forestry have proven their excellent sustainability for centuries. Experience gained in this way can also be used in the future. We have learned to adapt before (in the past), and we will adapt in the future as well. Research can play a major role in the increasingly wide use of the potential of forests,” concludes A. Buck in an interview with Audiomedia.