International Conference “RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY TO ADVANCE COMPETITIVE GLOBAL BIOECONOMY”

International Conference
RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY TO ADVANCE COMPETITIVE GLOBAL BIOECONOMY
9 July 2014
Arezzo (Italy), viale Santa Margherita 80

In a world increasingly focused on reducing its carbon footprint, an emerging bioeconomy is becoming a reality, one in which renewable green resources such as forest biomass, rather than fossil fuels, are used to meet society’s needs for energy, chemicals and raw materials. Research and innovation in forestry lay the foundations for a structural change from a fossil-based economy to a bio-based economy. This transition is also related to great opportunities for growth, and to significant improvements in our quality of life. The aim of this workshop is to put together the expertise and viewpoints of internationally renowned scientists in the field of forestry and bio-based economy to produce a multi-faceted, updated reference of the available options that contribute to the development of bioeconomy by means of a sustainable forestry practice. Moreover, this workshop will help shed light on role of applied research and innovation and its transfer to stakeholders to deliver sustainable wood-based economy by addressing the grand societal challenges. In addition, it will inform participants of the future needs of the bioeconomy in order to produce a well-qualified workforce. The workshop is designed for scientists, innovators and decision makers in the field of research related to wood-based bioeconomy and forest-based technologies.

14.30 – Introduction (Piermaria Corona, CRA-SEL)
14.40 – Oral presentations (chairman: Irina Kouplevatskaya, FAO Forest Department)
–        Giorgio Matteucci (Italiana National Research Council): Forest management, wood security and the growing global bioeconomy
–        Saša Orlović (Institute of Lowland Forestry and Environment, Serbia): Forest genetic resources to support global bioeconomy
–        Antoine Harfouche (University of Tuscia, Italy): Forest biotechnology advances to support global bioeconomy
–        Marco Marchetti (European Forest Institute, Scientific Advisory Board): Forest monitoring advances to support global bioeconomy
–        Gerard Buttoud (IUFRO 9.05.01, Coordinator): Research and innovation in sustainable forestry: lessons learned to inform the policy making community
16.30 – Discussion
16.45 – Conclusions (Susanna Nocentini, University of Firenze, Italy)

Scientific committee: P. Corona (coordinator), G. Buttoud, A. Cutini, F. Ducci, G. Fabbio
Info: Ugo Chiavetta (ugo.chiavetta@entecra.it – +39-328-9733580)

The oral presentations will be published in a special issue of the “Annals of Silvicultural Research”