What is forest bioeconomy?

Forest bioeconomy is based on resilient, circular and climate-smart forestry respecting its ecological boundaries and putting societal wellbeing at its heart. It is an economy that actively (a) provides ecosystem services, (b) acts as basis for nature-based services (such as e.g. flood and erosion protection, climate regulation, water) and business models (such as e.g. green care, (virtual) tourism), and (c) provides nontimber forest products (NTFP) such as berries, mushrooms, herbs etc. While wood-based products are a crucial part, it goes well beyond providing and using only raw timber.

Forest bioeconomy builds on the quality of forest-based materials and services and products as they are bio-based and long-lasting, including in their carbon storage over time and use cycles. It is focused on efficient eco-design in terms of energy and
chemical input, throughput and reuse to reduce additional raw material needs. This includes production and use of bioproducts (wood-based and composites including wood and other bio-based materials), biomass, bioprocessing (e.g. biochemicals, pharmaceuticals, etc.) and innovative products (such as (semi-)conductors, transparent wood, lignin-based batteries).

Finally, there is not one take on forest bioeconomy. There are controversies related to the different bioeconomy conceptualizations. Some focus on economic growth through biotechnology and biomass use, and others emphasize de-growth, new social
organization, and inclusive social innovations.

Further reading

Hetemäki et al. 2024. Synergies and trade-offs in the European forest bioeconomy research: State of the art and the way forward. Forest Policy and Economics, 163, 103204. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forpol.2024.103204