EIP-AGRI Focus Group on Forest biomass: Final report

This report summarises the comprehensive work of 20 experts from all over Europe, who examined the potential to increase the sustainable mobilisation of forest biomass as a key renewable resource. At two face-to-face meetings, the 20 experts shared their experience and carried out group work, to identify the most relevant questions in relation to sustainable mobilisation of forest biomass. This included the identification of success and fail factors that stimulate or limit the supply of forest biomass and how these factors might be addressed by exploring the role of innovation and knowledge exchange. The group identified and discussed relevant examples, best practices and tools and also barriers to their implementation in different regions. An important area identified was how to improve the cooperation of forest owners with small-scale forest areas. The report also takes into account supply and demand factors and the potential to provide a link between the two, e.g. via electronic marketing tools. The experts’ findings led to a set of ideas for research and innovation activities to stimulate the knowledge and use of management practices and strategies in mobilising forest biomass. These research and innovation needs are derived from practice.