International Exchange and Innovation at the IUFRO World Congress 2024
At the end of June 2024, the IUFRO World Congress, the major international fair for the forest industry, was held in Stockholm, where 4,300 researchers, representatives from authorities, organizations, and companies gathered for a week to share insights and experiences. Despite having around twenty lectures occurring simultaneously, attendance was robust, not least because the next congress won't be held until 2029 in Kenya.
One highlight of the event was the contributions from various researchers in the forestry sector, who freely exchanged ideas and findings. For instance, insights from KTH researchers on pulp and paper technology were complemented by a Canadian study on forest fires, which in turn provided critical comparative data for research focused on carbon storage in Indonesian wetlands.
Chandru S. Deshmukh, a lecturer who presented at the IUFRO fair, framed the international exchange of knowledge as a vital component of advancing research in forestry. Deshmukh's research, funded by APRIL Group, part of the Singapore-based corporate group Royal Golden Eagle (RGE), emphasizes the importance of investing in scientific infrastructure in rapidly developing countries, such as Indonesia. He notes, "Investing in scientific infrastructure serves not only national interests but also contributes to global scientific knowledge."
Deshmukh's research has garnered international attention, influencing decision-making across various countries. His findings aim to reduce uncertainties in greenhouse gas emission estimates and assess the impacts of land-use changes on tropical wetlands, ultimately guiding science-based practices that can leverage nature-based climate solutions.
Contrary to some beliefs, Deshmukh reinforces that the approach of 'just letting the forest be' isn't always the most effective strategy. He points out that establishing plantation forests on drained wetlands can significantly lower long-term greenhouse gas emissions and decrease the risk of forest fires while providing biomass from trees as a viable alternative to fossil fuels.
The context of conducting research in Indonesian wetlands presents unique challenges. Deshmukh described their fieldwork environment, stating, "Our challenge began with building three steel towers just over 40 meters high on cylinders placed 30 meters into the ground in the middle of nowhere. These tall towers often attracted lightning that damaged the instruments, requiring our tech team to maintain and calibrate them diligently. On top of that, we faced the heat, insects, and encounters with wildlife like tigers, clouded leopards, bears, crocodiles, and snakes."
Deshmukh's research employs a complex method known as eddy covariance, which, while accurate and non-intrusive to the environment, requires significant investment in equipment and meticulous data processing. Deshmukh highlighted the importance of ongoing and robust research: "I believe everyone needs to understand that the climate changes happening now are altering conditions in many ways. Therefore, solid and current research is important for us to make the right decisions in the future. What we cannot measure, we will never understand."
Eddy covariance is a scientific method that measures the movement of energy, water vapor, carbon dioxide, and other gases between the ground and the atmosphere. By capturing rapid changes in wind and gas content, researchers can calculate gaseous and energy flows, thereby gaining insights into climate change and how ecosystems interact with atmospheric processes.
In addition to highlighting innovative research methods, the IUFRO Congress provided a platform for discussing the sustainability efforts of companies like APRIL Group and Royal Golden Eagle RGE. As one of the world's largest pulp and paper manufacturers, APRIL Group operates under sustainable practices, emphasizing efficient energy and water use and minimizing emissions. Their product, PaperOne, made from 100 percent renewable fiber, is distributed in over 110 countries, showcasing the potential of sustainable forest management in global markets.
The IUFRO World Congress 2024 underscored the critical role of collective inquiry and innovative research in addressing the complex challenges posed by climate change, demonstrating a united effort in the pursuit of sustainable forest management.
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