 CEPF's President Christer Segerstéen addressed the EU Ministers responsible for Energy. Family forest owners play a key role in national and regional efforts in bioenergy production. Family forest owners can become efficient, economically viable and important energy suppliers. This opportunity can not be missed now, when the national decisions for renewable energy action plans are on the way.
CEPF’s President Christer Segerstéen addressed 34 ministers and their advisors from the EU and applicant countries during a meeting arranged by the Swedish EU Presidency on the 23rd of July. Case examples highlighted the importance of forest owners producing bio-energy from the logging and other residues in the forest. Forest owner associations then explained how family forest owners can become efficient, economically viable and important energy suppliers both locally and regionally. They also explained why 27% of the total energy consumption in Sweden comes from forest residues.
Christer Segerstéen underlined the role of sustainable management practices that through decades succeed in increase of the amount of forests in Europe. Recalling that only 60% of this growth is being used, Mr. Segerstéen highlighted a great potential for Europe. As one ton of forest residues corresponds to one barrel of oil, this shows a very interesting price potential for forest bio energy.
Additionally, well managed forests have a huge potential in combating climate change. The positive effect of forest on carbon balance was illustrated by Mr. Segerstéen with the three “S” principle, which stands for sequestration of carbon in growing trees, storage in standing trees and their forest products and last but not least, substitution of fossil fuel by forest bio energy.
This message was well received by the high level audience. Hopefully the decision makers will take it further to recognise role of the family forestry in the National Renewable Energy Action Plans.
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