The opportunities offered by the Nordic forests are explored holistically on 9-10 October at the Koli National Park.
| Koli Forum 2019 event paints the picture of tomorrow’s sustainable forest-based bioeconomy and its different elements. The event is packed with information and discussions about holistic solutions that forests can offer to our wellbeing while combating the climate change. One of the key issues is the changing financial landscape of the forest sector, incl. the importance of emerging EU taxonomy for future investments. The event will be opened by the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Jari Leppä. Further insight into the topic from climate policy perspective will be provided by the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, Krista Mikkonen. |
| The EU initiative related to sustainable finance is one of the regulatory development issues that may have a considerable impact on the forest-based bioeconomy. Keynote speaker Aila Aho will provide insight into the proposed EU-wide classification system that aims to set up and regulate green investments and bring clarity on what is considered sustainable and which activities can be labelled as such. Susanne Rodenstam will elaborate on the various ways that wood is used in today’s modern building construction and the potential it offers to sustainable cities and communities. Clothes and textiles represent another highly interesting, rapidly emerging market sector for wood and Niklas von Weymarn will share his views on the latest development in that field. More examples of the most recent wood-based innovations are exhibited by the Uusi Puu – the New Wood Project. Catherine Ward-Thompson focuses in her talk on the health benefits offered by forests. She will highlight the need for inclusive access to outdoor environments, especially for disadvantaged groups, and the links between landscape and health. Climate change, trade-offs and synergies are discussed in a think tank-session where Tomas Lundmark shares the latest Swedish research findings concerning carbon sinks and storage. The issue of climate change mitigation is further expanded by Pekka Leskinen who will explain what the role of wood-based products can be in the battle against global warming. Ilkka Hämälä will be the guest speaker at Koli Forum’s 10th anniversary dinner and he will address the forest industry’s approach to tackle the UN Sustainable Development Goals. During the past 10 years Koli Forum has established itself as a high-level discussion platform for global leaders in sustainable use of natural resources bringing together business leaders, policy makers, academia and civil society. Koli Forum is known to be an excellent place for networking where the participants and speakers will have ample opportunities to discuss and establish important contacts. The participants will create a common understanding of the steps needed for the forest-based sector to become a true forerunner in sustainability. |
| Register here! |
| More information, programme and speakers |
| Arriving and practicalities We recommend following flights operated by Finnair. – October 9, 2019: AY341, 7:25 HELSINKI – 8:25 JOENSUU – October 10, 2019: AY346, 17:30 JOENSUU – 18:30 HELSINKI – The free bus transportation from Joensuu airport to Koli and back is connected to the above flights. – More about the practicalities This year the Chatham House Rule is not practiced. All presentations will be available on www.koliforum.fi. Maximize your stay in Koli by joining Forest & Photonics, 7 – 8 October! Inquiries Essi Lahti, essi.lahti@koliforum.fi, +358(0)504679871 Follow us on Twitter @KoliForum |
