Europe’s wood supply in disruptive times

The main objective of this study is to provide a comprehensive synthesis of existing scientific and technical knowledge on a wide range of factors influencing the supply of wood from European forests, with a particular focus on the European timber industry. This analysis addresses the serious impacts of climate change on forests and the implications these impacts have for forest management, highlighting the interconnections with a wide range of policies at various levels, with factors including different conditions under diverse socioeconomic frameworks, changes in land ownership, and patterns of forest owner behavior.

In addition, this publication explores the current state of innovations and new technologies that are further influencing the future of the timber industries. It also identifies possible response options that timber industries, forest owners and forest managers, as well as policymakers, decision-makers and other stakeholders, could implement to ensure Europe's continued timber supply, the permanence of the timber industry and the fight against deforestation. These possible response options are based on relevant literature, empirical research results and discussions with experts and stakeholders across the forest value chain.