Geneva Timber and Forest Discussion Papers – serie

A sustainable and circular bioeconomy presents opportunities to improve climate change adaptation and resilience by promoting ecosystem restoration, nutrient and water retention in soils, supporting Indigenous People and local livelihoods based on biological products and services as well as building the conditions for more sustainably managed forests and fisheries. A transition to a sustainable and circular bioeconomy involves challenges and risks as well as benefits and opportunities. The potential trade-offs must be carefully considered and mitigating measures put in place to offset the negatives. Policy actions, partnerships and innovations are key tools to support a transition. While a transition to a sustainable and circular bioeconomy is a global goal, local production and consumption are key economic conditions to consider in achieving it. Local economies, green job opportunities and consumer interests should be supported and benefit from a transition. Forest-based materials are used for a wide variety of products in a circular bioeconomy and innovation continues to refine existing and develop new applications. The considerations addressed in this study include the growing demand for renewable forest-based raw materials and energy as well as the drive for a reduction in global reliance on fossil fuels. Additionally, there are considerations for climate change, pollution, and waste, as well as the phasing out of single-use and fossil-plastics, that create opportunities and challenges for the forest sector. To further support a sustainable and circular bioeconomy and the potential for a positive relationship with forests, public and private sector actors need to continue efforts that will effectively address the environmental, economic, and social aspects of a transition.

The circularity of paper and paperboard value chains is implemented principally thanks to the link between the design and production on the one hand and the use and end-of-life management on the other. As paper products become more complex and have to fulfil more functions, it is important that designers and producers of paper-based products are aware of the paper recycling process and contribute to high rates of and high-quality recovered paper allowing paper products to stay in the material loop. Various initiatives have been put in place in the pulp and paper value chain to ensure this objective and increase the circularity of paper-based products. However, the high rate of recycling is an achievement distinct from the pulp and paper industry among forest-based industries. The study describes the complexity of the pulp and paper industry with its different stages of raw material use, pulp and papermaking production processes and, finally, the trend to create higher-value products from side stream utilization. The study also gives the general industry context by describing an overall trend from a resource-intensive industry to one that has reduced its resource consumption, including through increased recycling rates over the last few years and the attention given to the optimization of water use and energy consumption. The design for the end-of-life valorization is equally important for all industries in the forest sector to successfully embrace circularity. However, in the pulp and paper industry, this important aspect of circularity has been realized as the high level of recycling is a prominent industry-wide feature. For this reason, this study places a particular focus on circular design and its interlinkages with the high level of paper recycling.

This publication is the statistical supplement to the 82nd session of the UNECE Committee on Forests and the Forest Industry about the current and next year's forest products markets. The tables in the publication show detailed forest products production and trade forecasts by country for 2024 and 2025. The tables are generated based on submissions by member States from Europe, North America and Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia. The tables presented cover roundwood (logs, pulpwood and fuel wood), sawnwood (coniferous and non-coniferous), wood-based panels (plywood, particle board, OSB and fibreboard), pulp, paper and wood pellets. The Committee collects data on over 30 individual products for many countries in the UNECE region.

This guide is designed to help local and national officials implement integrated nature-based solutions for enhancing food resilience in urban areas. By strategically integrating fruit-bearing trees, “food trees” into city landscapes, the guide promotes healthier, more sustainable, and shock-resistant urban ecosystems. While urban forestry and greening initiatives often focus on environmental, social, and economic benefits, the potential of productive trees in urban spaces to strengthen local food systems is frequently overlooked. These trees are often seen as more of a challenge than a solution, and this perception is reflected in urban planning and policies. Despite challenges related to governance, policy, space, and maintenance, these trees offer untapped potential for creating greener, more equitable cities. The guide's key focus is on developing methodologies to enhance food security through integrated solutions, while also exploring policy frameworks and practical steps for embedding food trees in urban environments. The practical and policy guidance provided in this guide is designed to support collaboration and planning efforts related to the integration of urban food trees. By fostering cross-sectoral collaboration, this resource is intended for policymakers, practitioners, and private sector entities involved in implementing advanced strategies and identifying best practices. The guide aims to facilitate the development of necessary policies and regulatory frameworks to drive progress in this area and establishing sustainable, resilient and food secure cities for all.

This study, focusing primarily on the period from the collapse of the Soviet Union until the present day, identifies the key drivers of forest degradation and the potential for forest landscape restoration in the Caucasus and Central Asia. The study was undertaken to support the preparation of restoration pledges in the eight countries of the Caucasus and Central Asia in the run up to the Ministerial Roundtable on Forest Landscape Restoration and the Bonn Challenge in the Caucasus and Central Asia that took place in June 2018 in Astana, Kazakhstan. At this Roundtable Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan committed to restore over 2.5 million ha of forest landscapes by 2030.