The report assesses how much wood we are likely to have now and in the future to support a transformational change towards a circular bioeconomy, and explores the potential and implications for its uses. It considers the structural changes affecting the use of wood globally and the potential for innovation in forest-based product markets, from engineered wood products in the construction sector, pulp used for textiles, chemicals, bioplastics and energy, to the growing number of small niche markets, including cosmetics, food additives and pharmaceuticals. It explores the future demand for roundwood under business-as-usual scenarios and when contemplating trends which curb the use of wood while foreseeing increased demand for other forest bioproducts. Finally, it describes the need for investment in research to synthesise current knowledge and assess future environmental, economic, social and policy prospects, which will support a truly sustainable development of the circular bioeconomy.
Tag: Bioeconomy
Scaling circular bio-economy solutions in refugee settings: a peer-to-peer capacity building approach
Africa hosts a significant portion of the global refugee population, notably in Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda. Despite prolonged stays in host countries, refugees often struggle to establish self-reliant livelihoods due to legal restrictions on work permits and travel, hampering economic empowerment. Indeed, there is a need for livelihood models that do not undermine the economies of low-Participants are shown how to set up a vegetable nursery in Rhino Refugee Settlement, Uganda (photo: Danish Refugee Council). RRR in Refugee Settlements in Africa Project Brief Series – No. 4and middle-income countries where local populations are already struggling. As a result, food insecurity and cooking energy poverty are major challenges facing humanitarian work. Food rations, primarily cereals and pulses, require intensive cooking, while firewood provision is limited, leading to food-for-fuel exchanges or conflicts.
Water consumption of industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) from a site in northern Kazakhstan
Purpose: This study investigated the water consumption (crop evapotranspiration) of industrial hemp on a newly established hemp field in Aqmola Region of Northern Kazakhstan. Methodology: The water consumption of hemp was investigated through direct measurements of the sapflow movement during the second half of the growing season 2021. These sapflow data yielded data on the water consumption. The water consumption of the first part of the growing season was assessed through the Penman-Monteith approach by FAO. Findings: The water consumption of hemp was 353 mm over the growing season at a stem yield of 10 t/ha. Under the water supply conditions of the study site, hemp offers higher yields than grasslands or grains. Originality/value: This is the first study that revealed data on water consumption of hemp for the region Central Asia as a potential
Water productivity of Paulownia tomentosa x fortunei (Shan Tong) in a plantation at Lake Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia
Central Asia is a region where forests are naturally scarce and additionally are under high anthropogenic pressure due to an unmet demand for timber and fuelwood. Cultivation of fast-growing trees as a means to satisfy this need may, therefore, be instrumental to forest conservation and/or restoration efforts. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in Paulownia spp. as agroforestry or plantation tree. Paulownia is a deciduous tree genus of Chinese origin that is valued for its fast growth and light, yet sturdy wood, among other characteristics. This study investigated the water consumption, biomass production, and water productivity of Paulownia tomentosa x fortunei (trade name: Shan Tong) in a plantation setting on the northern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul (Kyrgyzstan) over the course of the vegetation period 2019. The method employed was Granier’s thermal dissipation probe for measuring sap flow in trees. Estimated trunk biomass production per tree and season ranged from 1.52 to 3.41 kg, and the trees were found to consume between 433 and 613 l of water in total over the growing season. Water productivity, the amount of exploitable stem biomass produced per litre of water input, consequently ranged between 4.3 and 8.0 g l−1. As numerous studies suggest that the thermal dissipation method underestimates tree water consumption to varying degrees, these values likely represent the upper range of the species’ water productivity. A literature review shows its water productivity to be higher than that of regionally employed tree species such as Populus euphratica or Elaeagnus angustifolia.