Austria launches global bioeconomy initiative
In 2024, a multi-year initiative called ‘A Country & Organisation-Led Initiative (COLI) on Sustainable Forest-based Bioeconomy Approaches’ was launched by the Federal Ministry. Together with partner countries and organizations, the cooperation focuses on the wood-based value chain.
Wood at the centre of global policymaking
As a forested country - around 50 per cent of the national territory is covered by forest - and a flourishing forestry and timber industry that provides work for around 300,000 people, Austria is an important player on a global level. Following a ministerial declaration on the topic of ‘Sustainable Wood’ at the World Forestry Congress in 2022 and the successful completion of the international ‘Wood for Globe’ project, the topic of forest-based bioeconomy is now being addressed further as part of an innovative global initiative.
Bioeconomy in the focus
The term bioeconomy is used in different regions of the world with different emphases. There is currently no universally recognized definition, but it is generally understood to mean economic activities with renewable raw materials. The efficient utilization of the raw material plays a central role, as renewable raw materials are also finite, meaning that they have to be used with sustainability in mind. A harmonization of economic growth, ecological sustainability and social justice is the basis of this concept.
Key elements of the bioeconomy are wooden products, fibres and bioenergy obtained from sustainable forest management. Active sustainable forest management is therefore the foundation of a growing bioeconomy. An increasing demand for bio-based materials requires a careful and complex balance in terms of social well-being, economic development and environmental goals. These concerns are also addressed by the bodies of the highest UN institutions related to forests and wood - the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) and the Committee on Forestry (COFO) of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
A Country & Organisation-Led Initiative (COLI) on Sustainable Forest-based Bioeconomy Approaches
Against this background, the initiative launched by the Federal Ministry aims to further develop the forest-based bioeconomy worldwide. Based on scientific findings and the latest developments in the sector, it enables a global dialogue between like-minded countries and organizations and highlights the different approaches to the bioeconomy.
Austria, Australia, Finland, Japan, Turkey, FAO and IUFRO are currently actively involved in the Steering Group of the initiative. Other countries are involved as associated partners. The areas of work are divided into following three areas: Cooperation with the FAO, multi- and bilateral projects as well as scientific input, cooperation with the UNFF. The highlight will be a global summit on the forest-based bioeconomy in Vienna in 2026. The results will be brought to the attention of the political session of the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF21) and the 28th session of the FAO Committee on Forestry (COFO28) and will thus be incorporated into the work programs of these two UN bodies.
Global webinar series on the topic of ‘forest bioeconomy’
An essential component of COLI is a global webinar series organised by FAO in 2025. This project is funded by the Austrian Federal Ministry and the Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Throughout the webinar series, different regions of the world present their bioeconomy strategies, experts in the field of forest-based bioeconomy share insights and viewers can exchange experiences. The dates and topics can be found under this link, the registration for the webinars is free of charge.