Waldfonds: Success model for economy and the environment in Austria!

Waldfonds: Success model for economy and the environment in Austria!

Laimgrubengasse 10, 1060 Wien, Österreich - The forest fund in Austria, a success -charged initiative, which has been celebrating numerous successes since 2021, is once again the focus. Led by Herbert Jöbstl, the chairman of the specialist association of the timber industry in Austria, an extension of the fund is urgently demanded in order to effectively counter the shaken effects of climate change on the forests. The forest fund was launched to combat the massive forest damage by the bark beetle between 2018 and 2020 and has developed into a model for all of Europe. Jöbstl found that "the forest fund is an investment in our forests and thus in our future". This initiative not only promotes forest conversion towards climate -like structures, but also the use of wood in different areas.

economic importance of the wood industry

In addition to the positive effects of the forest fund on the forests, a current study on the "economic importance of the European forestry and timber industry" shows the immense role of this industry for the economic output of Europe. The study, presented on September 26, 2023 on the Austrofoma, proves that the forestry and timber industry in Europe generates a total gross value added of around 1.1 trillion euros and secures a total of around 17.5 million jobs. This means that every sixteenth place of work in Europe is directly or indirectly connected to the forestry and wood industry. This shows the strategic relevance of the wood industry for the economic stability of the continent again.

The wood industry in Austria alone contributes to economic output with 28 billion euros and secures around 320,000 jobs. Another important aspect of the study is the dependence of the industry on stable political framework; A reduction in the wood stroke by only 1% could result in a loss of more than 10 billion euros in gross value added and the loss of around 162,000 jobs. The findings of this comprehensive investigation underline how specialist prospects and funding projects such as the forest fund have to work together in order to strengthen the wood industry and thus the entire economy, which Holzindustrie.at also confirm.