IUFRO and Mondi extend unique TEAMING UP 4 FORESTS science-business platform to secure future wood supply
- Founding partners, IUFRO and Mondi, announce the extension of their science-business partnership TEAMING UP 4 FORESTS for another three years
- The platform has established a unique network of more than 100 scientists, business representatives, and policymakers along the entire forest value chain
- TEAMING UP 4 FORESTS invites additional industry partners to increase its impact
Vienna, 21 March 2025: On the 2025 International Day of Forests, the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) and Mondi, a leading global paper and packaging company, announce the extension of the science-business platform ‘TEAMING UP 4 FORESTS’. Since its launch in 2021, TEAMING UP 4 FORESTS has established a unique network of more than 100 scientists, business representatives, forest owners and policymakers along the entire forest value chain to tackle key challenges in the sustainable provision of wood-based products to meet societal demands.
Over the past three years, TEAMING UP 4 FORESTS has built a platform to facilitate dialogue through various activities and regular formats, including 'Think Tank’ meetings, ‘Stakeholder Dialogues’, and field trips. These meetings build a bridge between stakeholders, addressing key challenges such as climate change, adaptation measures, and ecosystem and biodiversity protection. The platform develops science-based response measures to strengthen forest resilience and climate adaptation while ensuring a secure future supply of wood fibre.
“TEAMING UP 4 FORESTS has excelled in identifying key topics for the wood-based sector and provides a vital platform for open discussions among stakeholders across the forest value chain. Closing the gap between science and business is critical in addressing the most pressing challenges for the forest-based sector and the future supply of forest goods and services. At Mondi, we are eager to continue translating scientific findings into practical measures for our operations, supporting the whole forest-based sector by ensuring our efforts are effective and scalable” comments Dirk Längin, Mondi Group Head of Fibre Sourcing.
Alexander Buck, Executive Director IUFRO, adds: “As the global network for forest science cooperation, we are committed to fostering the development of science-based solutions to forest-related challenges. We are excited to take TEAMING UP 4 FORESTS to the next level and expand the scope of activities and targeted research to jointly address pressing questions related to climate change adaptation, carbon sequestration, fibre sourcing, and more.”
TEAMING UP 4 FORESTS invites other industry partners to get in touch and explore becoming a partner in future and helping to define the focus areas for targeted science-business partnership in the forest sector.
Synthesis study as a key outcome of first partnership phase
In 2024, TEAMING UP 4 FORESTS published a synthesis study on the future supply of goods and services from European forests. The study has emphasised that forests in Europe are strongly affected by climate change, with far-reaching consequences for forest health and ecosystem services, including the supply of wood. Furthermore, the results highlighted the importance of collaboration among stakeholders across the forest value chain to address the challenges affecting wood supply in Europe.
An integrated approach that combines scientific research, policy development, and practical implementation can enable a sustainable provision of wood. Knowledge sharing and cross-sector collaboration enhance resilience and adaptability and support a cohesive and effective response to identified challenges.
Find the study here.
Upcoming Think Tank meeting
The next TEAMING UP 4 FORESTS partnership meeting will kick off with a Think Tank meeting on 1 and 2 April 2025 in Vienna on strategies for sustainable forest management with a focus on biodiversity conservation.
Find more resources and partnership information on the TEAMING UP 4 FORESTS website: https://teamingup4forests.com/
Media contacts
Doris Unterrainer
Sustainability Engagement and Reporting Specialist
doris.unterrainer@mondigroup.com
Gerda Wolfrum
IUFRO Communications
Tel: +43-1-8770151-17
wolfrum@iufro.org
About TEAMING UP 4 FORESTS
TEAMING UP 4 FORESTS was founded in 2021 by IUFRO and Mondi and has established a professional network of 100+ scientists, business representatives and policymakers along the forest value chain since then. The platform aims to translate globally available scientific findings into practical response options for the wood-based sector; offer a meeting point for regular interaction, knowledge exchange and mutual learning; and actively share outcomes and facilitate discussion on the future of forest goods and services. The platform aims to increase its impact and include new partners to support the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Visit: https://teamingup4forests.com/
The International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) is a non-profit and non-governmental worldwide network of forest scientists, who work together on a voluntary basis to enhance the understanding of the ecological, economic and social aspects of forests and trees.
About Mondi
Mondi is a global leader in packaging and paper, contributing to a better world by producing products that are sustainable by design. We employ 22,000 people in more than 30 countries and operate an integrated business with expertise spanning the entire value chain, enabling us to offer our customers a broad range of innovative solutions for consumer and industrial end-use applications. Sustainability is at the centre of our strategy, with our ambitious commitments to 2030 focused on circular driven solutions, created by empowered people, taking action on climate.
In 2024, Mondi had revenues of €7.4 billion and underlying EBITDA of €1.0 billion. Mondi is listed on the London Stock Exchange in the ESCC category (MNDI), where the Group is a FTSE100 constituent. It also has a secondary listing on the JSE Limited (MNP).