OECD workshop: Forest-based bioeconomy

Forests are a strategic resource for economic growth, climate action, biodiversity conservation, and rural development. As OECD countries transition towards more sustainable and circular economies, the forest-based bioeconomy offers opportunities to create both traditional and higher-value products, foster innovation, and strengthen competitiveness. Realising this potential requires balancing economic development with biodiversity and ecosystem resilience, while addressing challenges such as demographic change, labour shortages, and forest abandonment. These trends underscore the importance of active forest management and economically viable forest activities that sustain rural communities and long-term forest stewardship.

Sustainable harvesting and value creation from forest resources can provide incentives for forest owners and local communities to remain engaged in forest management, reducing the risks associated with unmanaged and abandoned forests. In this context, the forest-based bioeconomy can help support vibrant rural territories, strengthen resilience, and contribute to both sustainable forest stewardship and wildfire risk mitigation. Furthermore, tailored place-based policies can strengthen local value creation and support rural development.

This workshop will bring together experts and policy-makers to explore how the forest-based bioeconomy can support sustainable growth, resilient rural communities, and active forest management. Discussions will focus on opportunities to create greater value from forest resources, foster innovation, address challenges such as forest abandonment and wildfire risks, and identify policies that can unlock the sector's economic, environmental, and social potential.

• What enabling conditions are needed to support the growth of the forest-based bioeconomy?
• What are the main constraints limiting productivity, investment, innovation, and diversification?
• What is the value of sustainable forest harvesting?
• Which policy approaches are effective in supporting forest-based bioeconomy development across OECD countries?
• Considering the diversity of forest-rich regions, how can place-based policies strengthen local value creation, support rural development, and enhance the resilience and competitiveness of forest-based value chains?

Discover what the event is about.

Forestry is closely linked to rural development and should be approached through a multidimensional territorial framework. The role and purpose of forests differ across places: in rural regions, they support livelihoods, land management, biodiversity, water systems, and climate resilience; in urban and peri-urban areas, they can support adaptation, ecosystem services, and liveability.

This calls for policy approaches that move beyond forest protection alone and connect forestry with local economic opportunities, infrastructure, services, community engagement and long-term territorial development. Building on OECD work on forestry and rural development, CFE could contribute to COP31 by advancing a place-based agenda that helps governments better link forestry with on-the-ground implementation, with relevance for food security, resilient cities, and climate action delivery.