“It is important to understand that the use of forests must be evaluated comprehensively: in terms of economic, ecological, and social sustainability,” says Janez Potočnik, the new chair of the European Forest Institute (EFI) science-policy platform, ThinkForest.
Janez Potočnik, a former European Commissioner for Science and Research and for Environment, has been appointed as the chair of the high-level science-policy platform, ThinkForest.
ThinkForest seeks to bring together forestry policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders (those who influence forestry policy) to promote and sustain conversations on forestry and bioeconomy issues.
J. Potočnik emphasises that forest use must be evaluated from the perspective of overall sustainability and that both disputes and negotiations, as well as forest policy, can reconcile and incorporate economic and climate policy goals.
“Sustainable forest management must be understood in terms of both conservation and economic activity. To ensure the economic use of forests for the coming decades, they must be managed sustainably.”
Disseminating the results of forest science research to EU decision-makers is an important goal! J. Potočnik believes that more comprehensive and accurate factual information about forests is needed. In this regard, the European Forest Institute has an important place and tasks to fulfil.
“I believe one of the main tasks of EFI is to provide scientifically sound answers to questions to assist in making political and economic decisions.”
“Forest-rich countries understand the potential of forests”
J. Potočnik advises many international circular economy and bioeconomy organisations, being a key developer of the circular economy concept and an initiator of the EU circular economy strategy. He is well-known as an influential mediator between the scientific community and political decision-makers.
J. Potočnik sees leading ThinkForest as a natural continuation of his career, just like his work on circular economy and bioeconomy strategies. In his view, the European Forest Institute has excellent, comprehensive expertise in forestry and a sound insight into all aspects of forest use.
“When we look for ways to slow down climate change and preserve biodiversity, the solution is rooted in the use of vast resources, such as our forests.”
J. Potočnik believes that forest policy has a central place in climate policy. “You could say that everything done in forests affects the climate. Many people have underestimated this, but in forest-rich countries, such as Finland, quite 'old' legislation has been able to safeguard forest diversity and prevent deforestation, unlike elsewhere in the world.”
“Forest-rich countries understand the potential and capabilities of forests because this understanding is in the genes of their citizens. We want to maintain a close connection with the forest because forests have a positive impact on people's well-being, for example, through their use for recreation or tourism.”
J. Potočnik believes that forests are important for the preservation of the ecosystem as a whole; they are a true treasure in many respects. At the same time, we can preserve both the cultural and natural heritage of forests while producing forest-derived products based on renewable materials.
In J. Potočnik's opinion, the EU-wide ecological network of protected areas, Natura 2000, is successful. For example, in his home country of Slovenia, 37% of protected areas are part of Natura 2000, while in Finland, it covers approximately 13% of the total land area.
"Forests can provide future generations with the same opportunities as us. We should not manage forests simply to reap economic benefits and leave the costs for others."
Forests promote the circular economy
J. Potočnik believes that forests are a key driver of the circular economy. Sustainable forestry and its products offer the greatest potential for combining the circular economy and the bioeconomy.
“In debates about the forestry sector, the main focus should be on the question of how to integrate bioeconomic solutions into the circular economy. If done correctly, it has enormous potential.”
Wood products can replace many fossil fuel-based products, for instance in the packaging and textile industries. J. Potočnik hopes that the use of wood in construction will increase, as wood in buildings absorbs carbon and acts as a carbon reservoir.
“I do not think all consumer products should be replaced with renewables, because that will only increase consumption. First, we must reduce the consumption of fossil fuel-based products and goods, and then replace them with renewable materials.”
(The article is published as part of the Metsämiesten Säätiöö foundation's “Forest Answers” media project, which publishes current interviews and speeches on a Finnish and European scale concerning issues and new trends in sustainable forestry.)