Mondi Group, and the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO), have announced a partnership agreement aimed at identifying scientific responses to climate-related threats to forests and forest-based industries.

The three-year partnership agreement comes at a time of drought, extreme weather events, outbreaks of forest pests and diseases causing severe damage to the world’s forests.

Climate change mitigation is vital for the well-being of people, biodiversity, the economy and the forest industry.

The pan-European global partnership aims to establish a science-business platform in which the two organizations will work together to address climate change challenges.

The two organizations will also identify ways of ensuring a sustainable future for the entire forestry and business.

Group Head of Fibre Sourcing at Mondi and Co-Chair of the IUFRO- Mondi Partnership Steering Group, Dirk Längin, says: “With ca. 80% of our business fibre-based, we consider sustainability across the entire value chain, including a strong focus on renewable wood fibre from sustainably managed forest operations.”

The partnership will allow the organizations to actively engage with the scientific community in a structured way to address climate change challenges, obtain broad access to research, translate it into practical applications and improved operations.

This expertise will also enable them to share their knowledge with other sectors and industries to mobilise change in a collaborative way to contribute to a better world.

IUFRO’s Executive Director and Co-Chair of the IUFRO-Mondi Partnership Steering Group, Alexander Buck, says, IUFRO’s vision is to address the needs of forest-related research and decision making around the world.

“To be able to do so, it is essential for scientists to also effectively identify and address information requirements of business and industry to develop science-based solutions.”

The partnership is the result of sustained cooperation since 2017 and it underscores the strong commitment to the important role of forest-related business and science in promoting action for sustainable development.

The partnership is structured around think tank meetings that provide information on and access to the latest data on climate change, SDGs and identify options for response measures to mitigate risks.

There will also be stakeholder dialogues to share and discuss research results, engage partners including public, private and civil society stakeholders to identify pathways and options for the way forward; scientific studies.

It also includes regular workshops and communications to facilitate best practice sharing.

The forest sector has a significant role to play in tackling climate change and contributing to sustainable development.

Climate change, therefore, requires a broad discussion among policymakers, stakeholders among others on how future forest landscapes could meet industry supply needs and provide multiple ecosystem services.

Mondi is a global leader in packaging and paper, contributing to a better world by making innovative packaging and paper solutions that are sustainable by design while The International Union of Forest Research Organizations is the only worldwide organization devoted to forest research and related sciences. It offers a global network for voluntary cooperation and connects more than 600 Member Organizations in more than 120 countries worldwide.