As global calls for sustainable development grow louder, Wales’ wood knowledge network is stepping up to share insights, forge partnerships, and shape policies for a regenerative, circular economy in Europe
Cardiff, 31 October 2024 – This November, Woodknowledge Wales (WKW) have been invited onto the international stage to contribute expertise rooted and grown in Wales to policy discussions, research collaborations, and sustainable innovation initiatives across Europe. Leading these efforts are Gary Newman, Chief Executive, and Christiane Lellig, Specialist Advisor for Regenerative Systems Change, who will represent WKW at four high-profile events, where they aim to share, learn and help develop cross-border efforts to advance sustainable, wood-based economies.
Pioneering Sustainable Practices: IMPACCT Project at Built by Nature’s Annual Summit
Gary Newman will kick off the month by attending the Built by Nature Annual Summit in Amsterdam on November 7th. Representing WKW among Europe’s leaders in sustainable building, he will present the latest developments from the IMPACCT ( Innovative Mapping and Processes to Advance Construction Timber Transparency) project in a closed session. The IMPACCT initiative, led by the Alliance for Sustainable Building Products and supported by WKW and Built by Nature, aims to accelerate climate-conscious construction and sustainable supply chains.
The Summit provides WKW with a rare opportunity to showcase Wales’ unique approach to wood-based development and to position Welsh expertise within an international network, from policy-makers to industry stakeholders.
“Work rooted in Wales demonstrates that even a small nation can make a significant impact in sustainable, resilient construction,” Gary Newman commented. “The IMPACCT project is one of our contributions to the global need for carbon-friendly building, and we’re looking forward to sharing our progress with an international audience.”
Championing Policy Development: Wood Policy and Innovation Conference
On the same day, Christiane Lellig will join policy experts and stakeholders at the Wood Policy and Innovation Conference byWood4Bauhaus in Brussels. Christiane will contribute to discussions on the policy frameworks required to develop a thriving, sustainable forest-based economy in the UK and Europe. With Welsh wood policies currently at a crucial development stage, Christiane sees this as a golden opportunity to draw on European insights that could strengthen WKW’s policy advocacy back home.
“This conference is about more than policy,” Christiane noted. “It’s about building resilience and robustness across the wood value chain and connecting with policymakers who share our commitment to a forest based economy that adds value to people and planet. We’ll bring new perspectives back to Wales and look at how we can collaborate with European partners towards shared goals.”
Strengthening European Connections: EUFORE Stakeholder Meeting and Bioeconomy Regions Summit
Christiane’s European engagements continue with her attendance at the EUFORE Stakeholder Meeting on November 27th and the Bioeconomy Regions Summit on November 28th. These gatherings will allow WKW to forge valuable partnerships and learn from other regions developing place-based bioeconomy strategies. Christiane will speak at the summit about WKW’s collaborative approach to innovation that emphasises authentic relationships between people and the need for a cultural shift towards embracing trees and timber as part of Wales’ rich cultural heritage and identity.
The Bioeconomy Regions Summit’s panel discussions offer a rich forum for Christiane to share insights from Wales’ wood value chain and discuss potential new avenues with panel guests from Austria and the Netherlands.
“It’s a privilege to represent Wales at such a high-level event and demonstrate how collaborative strategies can enable businesses and people across the forest and construction sector to thrive. It’s clear to me that successful bioeconomy transitions require not only policy support but also strong, regional partnerships that can bring about meaningful, localised change,” said Christiane.
Wales’ Influence on a Global Wood Economy
These events mark a step forward for WKW as it branches out internationally. With WKW’s commitment to a forest-based, regenerative economy firmly aligned with EU goals, both Gary and Christiane aim to strengthen Wales’ role in Europe’s bioeconomy.
“Wales is proud to be part of these important conversations and to contribute our ideas and experience,” says Gary. “The future of sustainable construction and forestry is a shared effort, and we’re honored to play a role in it alongside our international partners.”