Overview
Wood, as a regional and renewable resource, is a key lever on the path towards a climate-neutral Switzerland. Since 2020, the Canton of Uri has been pursuing this goal through the Holzkreislauf Uri initiative, aiming to increase carbon sequestration by promoting the use of locally sourced wood and to establish a circular, bioeconomy-oriented wood value chain.
Building on the Government Programme 2020–2024+, the initiative has already entered its second phase (2025–2028+), continuing to focus on strengthening regional value creation and raising awareness of the sustainable use of the regional resource wood.
During the first implementation period, a broadly supported implementation strategy and initial concrete measures were developed in close collaboration with stakeholders from forestry, wood processing, spatial planning, education and public administration.
Visible outcomes of the first implementation phase include projects such as the Uri wooden chair, built by students, a tree-planting project, the Uri forest and wood guide, the “Waldschoggi”, as well as a feasibility study for a sawmill in the Canton of Uri. The integrative and cooperative approach has created a solid foundation for acceptance and implementation, positioning Holzkreislauf Uri as a forward-looking initiative at the intersection of climate action, regional development and innovation.
The year 2025 marks the launch of the second implementation phase. Ongoing measures will be continued and new ones initiated. These include, among others, the development of a new exchange and dialogue format for the integrative further development of Holzkreislauf Uri together with regional stakeholders and actors. In addition, the establishment of a wood cluster is currently under discussion.
The initiative is supported by Dr Sonja Geier (Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts – HSLU) and Hans Rupli, a renowned expert in the timber construction sector.
Further information on Holzkreislauf Uri and results can be found in the related article on HUB Architektur.
