The forest of the future: knowledge, sustainability and dialogue

On 17-18 September the Latvian Forest Sector Trade Union (LMNA) and the European Federation of Building and Wood Workers (EFBWW) held an international seminar entitled “The forest of the future: paving the way to carbon neutrality in the EU through sustainable management practices and circular wood-based products”. The seminar in Riga brought together participants from a total of 10 countries, including Belgium, France, Sweden, Finland and other European states, to discuss current issues in the sector together, to acquaint the guests with the situation in Latvia and to find shared, international solutions for the sustainability of the forest of the future.

The event was a striking confirmation that sustainable forestry and wood processing are inconceivable without close cooperation, knowledge and social dialogue, which also underpin the cooperation between the sector's professionals and trade unions at European level.

Forestry and wood processing – a single system and global challenges

Opening the seminar, Dr. silv. Āris Jansons (Director of the Forest Department of the Ministry of Agriculture) stressed that Latvia's forest sector must be viewed as a single, interconnected system that brings together forestry and wood processing. Jansons drew attention to the sector's decisive role in the country's economic resilience, employment and exports. The forest sector, which accounts for roughly 20% of Latvia's total export value, has not only underpinned the stability and recovery of the national economy in earlier periods, but is also a significant foundation for it today and in the future.

The speaker expressed his conviction that Europe, and its northern and central parts in particular, can supply itself with wood, serving as a reliable and sustainable source of resources for the whole continent. This matters especially at a time when we have to think not only about mitigating the consequences of climate change, but also about a consistent transition from fossil to renewable natural resources. At the same time, he also drew attention to the fact that rapid climate change will increase the risk of natural disasters such as storms, and that forestry practice needs to be adapted accordingly, which in turn depends on a knowledgeable, skilled workforce. Jansons called for dialogue and a considered European forest policy that fosters productivity and the development of the bioeconomy, rather than confining itself to restrictive measures and bureaucratic paperwork.

The importance of the forest sector's role in providing employment in the regions was likewise emphasised. Unfortunately, where young people are concerned, motivation to work in the forest sector declines when society cultivates disrespect towards current and, by extension, future specialists. Motivation grows in the younger generation when there is an awareness that the work is valuable and serves some greater purpose. This is an essential question about building a healthy and objective attitude towards the forest sector in society.

The French representative Bruno Bothua shared similar reflections from his own country's perspective. He stressed that many of the sector's employment problems today are directly linked to climate change. Addressing these problems requires a clear vision, concrete goals and a sense of where the country is heading. Bothua noted that in France, where forests are owned in equal parts by the state and by private owners, there is strong demand for sustainable wood materials, and it will only grow in the future. Everyone working in the sector must be provided with decent working conditions, thereby increasing young people's motivation and their wish to take up occupations connected with wood processing. It is worth noting that the correlation between occupational safety and well-being across Europe was highlighted repeatedly in the discussion.

Kristīne Rapa, Chair of the LMNA, stressed: “Climate change means working in ever harder conditions – including heat and the threats posed by storms. Our main task as a trade union is to ensure that every worker in the forest sector receives not only decent pay, but also feels respected and safe. Investment in employees' well-being is not an expense; it is a precondition for the sector's sustainability.”

Certification – an instrument for protecting labour rights

Jānis Švirksts, founder of “STEP UP Certification” and certification expert at the Forest Certification Council of Latvia, introduced the foreign representatives to the role of forest certification in Latvia. He explained that voluntary instruments such as PEFC and FSC certification serve to promote not only environmentally but also socially responsible forest management.

Švirksts stressed that certification schemes include requirements that relate directly to labour rights and occupational safety. For example, the PEFC standard stipulates that a forest manager may not infringe employees' rights to establish and join trade unions and other organisations of their own choosing. Certification sets a requirement that the average wage must be at least 80% of the sector's average pay. He pointed out that the involvement of trade unions in developing standards and in consultation processes is essential so that workers' rights are not lost.

Latvijas Finieris: investing in people, technology and the future

Gatis Ķepītis, development projects manager at the “Latvijas Finieris” group, shared the company's experience of building the forest of the future by investing in people and technology. He highlighted the concept of “value creation”, noting that it covers not only financial indicators but also the immense role of human capital in service-oriented exports. Ķepītis emphasised that investment in employees' well-being and knowledge is an inseparable part of the company's development planning. He stressed that the company's high added value per employee proves that combining technology with people's skills is the right path.

AS “Latvijas Finieris” generates added value of 60,000-70,000 euros per employee per year, almost twice the national average. This confirms that investment in employees' welfare and skills is a precondition for sustainability.

The future lies in dialogue and cooperation

The seminar clearly showed that the future of the forest sector depends on how even-handedly the interests of the various parties – the state, businesses, environmental advocates and employees – are taken into account. In forestry and wood processing it is not only economic and environmental aspects that must be balanced; social objectives, the impact on employment and the well-being of workers as such are equally important.

It is clear that regulatory frameworks and the debates swirling around them affect not only the interests of the forest sector and environmental organisations, but also shape the sector's reputation in society, and thus have a direct impact on employees' motivation to work in it. To preserve the desire to work in the sector, it is essential to achieve a balance, and that balance is found in open, inclusive social dialogue in which policymakers, employers, the trade union and employees all have an equally important voice.

The seminar discussions brought to light the fact that similar questions are just as topical elsewhere in Europe – workforce motivation, the impact of climate change on occupational safety, and the call for a considered forest policy grounded in stable access to wood resources. LMNA's representatives are particularly pleased to hear the conviction voiced by the various parties involved that investment in human capital is necessary. It shows, at both national and company level, that we are all striving for the same thing – a sustainable, socially responsible and competitive sector.

Of course, there is not and cannot be a single answer among European countries that suits everyone. Solutions are to be found in continuous dialogue at national level, in international exchanges of ideas and in a shared vision of a future based on renewable resources. Only in this way will we be able to move forward with confidence in the context of the European Green Deal too, ensuring that forests not only fulfil biodiversity conservation objectives, but also provide work for people, secure the availability of renewable wood resources in the gradual transition away from oil and gas, and serve as a model for sustainable development throughout the world.