Driving the Forest-Based Bioeconomy: A Call to Action from the Private Forest-based Sector

Forest-based value chains represent the most advanced and scalable foundation of the global bioeconomy. Through sustainably managed forests and efficient, circular use of biomass, the sector delivers renewable materials, carbon storage & material substitution, biodiversity co-benefits, and quality employment, particularly in rural areas. Recognizing and strengthening the role of the forest-based value chains is essential if bioeconomy strategies are to move beyond ambition and deliver tangible results.

The private forest-based sector, including forest owners, pulp and paper producers, packaging manufacturers, wood products companies, and emerging bio-based material innovators, continues to advance sustainable forest management, circularity, and low-carbon solutions. This reflects work already central to the sector's daily operations around the world.

Growing demand for renewable, climate-beneficial materials creates important opportunities across forest product and wood-fiber value chains. At the same time, policy misalignment, financing challenges, as well as market and raw material uncertainties can slow progress. Strengthening cooperation among governments, academia, industry, and communities-while respecting national policy frameworks and competitive, market-based approaches-can help unlock further benefits.

Looking ahead, the private sector is welcoming the Vienna Call for Action for a sustainable forest-based bioeconomy and prepared to continue collaborating in several areas, including:

• Improving coherence between policy and market reality;

• Expanding access to market-driven finance;

• Developing resilient forest-based value chains by ensuring a stable, secure and long-term supply of raw materials;

• Strengthening resilient and productive forests while ensuring ecological and social responsibility;

• Scaling up market opportunities for existing wood and wood-fiber products to strengthen competitiveness and substitution effects;

• Unlocking new market opportunities for sustainable forest-based products through market tools and policies;

• Advancing the full range of wood and non-wood forest products, as well as wood-fiber solutions-including pulp, paper, packaging, and emerging bio-based materials; and

• Encouraging innovation, skills, and knowledge-sharing across the sector.

This statement reflects a shared interest in ongoing dialogue and cooperation and a collective expression of support for continued engagement in advancing sustainable forest-based bioeconomy approaches.

About

*Advisory Committee on Sustainable Forest-based Industries is a statutory body of the of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

**The International Council of Forest and Paper Associations (ICFPA) and the WBCSD Forest Solutions Group collaborate under the major group "Business and industry" Focal Points of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF).

Contact

International Council of Forest and Paper Associations, Communications Secretariat

Rebecca Rogers, Director of Communications
[email protected]
+1 (613) 563-4518