Overview
The ITC INNOwood project focuses on elucidating the intricate interconnections among forests, wood resources, and societal dynamics within the forest-wood vale chain. This initiative responds to ever increasing demands for wood utilization amidst pressing challenges like climate variability, storm-induced damages, and escalating forest management costs, which strain conventional forest economic paradigms. The overarching objective of ITC INNOwood is to enhance public understanding regarding the inherent value of harnessing local wood resources for both forest sustainability and eco system services, including climate mitigation benefits. Central to this endeavor is the development of a comprehensive comprehension framework elucidating the multifaceted relationships between forests, wood resources, and societal needs and benefits.
Through the analysis of six case studies alongside comprehensive informational resources, ITC INNOwood aims to tangibly illustrate the advantages of local wood utilization, fostering public appreciation and engagement.
Moreover, the outcomes of this project served as the cornerstone for the establishment of a dedicated website, facilitated and funded by the Cantonal forestry authorities of six Central Swiss cantons. By leveraging the insights gleaned from ITC INNOwood, this website aims to disseminate pertinent findings and experiences to a wider audience, facilitating informed decision-making and fostering constructive dialogues within political and social spheres. Emphasizing practical applicability, the website equips stakeholders with actionable insights and policy recommendations derived from the project's outcomes, thereby promoting sustainable forestry practices and societal resilience.
The ITC INNOwood project received support from the Swiss Forest and Wood Research Promotion Agency (WHFF-CH), with collaborative involvement from the Conference for Forests, Wildlife, and Landscape (KWL) and the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN). The project benefited from financial contributions from all cantonal forestry authorities in Central Switzerland (LU, ZG, SZ, UR, NW, OW), as well as from Lignum Holzwirtschaft Zentralschweiz LHZ and Pirmin Jung Schweiz AG. Additionally, funding was provided by the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts through the internal resources of participating competence centers, complemented by support from the Interdisciplinary Thematic Cluster Space and Society (ITC RG). Furthermore, WaldSchweiz and WWF actively participated in the project, alongside all entities mentioned above.
