The Polish forestry, wood, furniture, and paper industries warn that the Ministry of Climate and Environment's plan to exclude 20% of forests from sustainable management could have severe economic consequences. Industry representatives estimate the move would result in the loss of 70,000 jobs, a PLN 4.5 billion reduction in tax revenues, a 0.3% decrease in GDP (PLN 8.75 billion), and a deterioration of Poland's trade balance by PLN 8.4 billion.
According to the Coalition for Polish Timber (KnRPD), Poland's forests cover 9.484 million hectares, accounting for over 30% of the country's territory, with 8% designated as protected areas. Since 2010, the forest area has increased by 155,300 hectares. The forestry and wood sector plays a vital role in the national economy, generating PLN 210.8 billion in sales in 2023, equivalent to 6.8% of GDP. The industry comprises nearly 75,000 enterprises and employs 439,000 people. The furniture sector alone contributed PLN 65.1 billion, with a similar figure recorded for paper and paper product manufacturing.
Poland is a key player in the EU's wood industry, ranking first in floor production and export, third in furniture production, and first in furniture export. It is also the third-largest producer of windows. KnRPD experts highlight the irreplaceable qualities of wood, describing it as a "100% renewable raw material" with a "negative carbon footprint" due to CO2 absorption through photosynthesis.
Jerzy Majewski, a member of the supervisory board at MM Kwidzyn, notes that the EU's forest strategy until 2030 supports the socio-economic functions of forests while fostering a bioeconomy. He emphasises that Directive 2024/0440 mandates the use of zero-emission materials in public buildings from 2028 and in all new constructions from 2030. 'Wooden construction, promoted, among others, by the EU programme New European Bauhaus, is the closest to meeting the requirements of the new directive,' he states.
Industry leaders argue that the planned exclusion of 3 million hectares from timber harvesting could harm Poland's economy and increase reliance on imported raw materials. Jędrzej Kasprzak, president of the Association of Wood-Based Panel Producers and proxy of Swiss Krono Group, warns that the decision 'will weaken the competitiveness of the Polish economy and increase dependence on foreign suppliers of raw materials.' He adds that it would also negatively impact local communities reliant on forestry for income, contradict CO2 reduction efforts, and threaten forest sustainability.
Public opinion polls conducted by B+R Studio and PBS sp. z o.o. in November 2024, as part of the report What's Next for the Polish Timber Industry and Forests, indicate strong support for sustainable forest management. The findings, presented on 23 January, reveal that '91% of society considers forest protection important, 83% believe sustainable management benefits forests, and 80% support a model that enables both forest preservation and industry growth.' Additionally, 53% of respondents favour increasing wood product production, while only 14% oppose it.
The Coalition for Polish Timber is a collaborative initiative advocating for the wood industry's development and the sustainable use of natural resources. It comprises organisations representing the furniture, sawmill, board, and paper industries, aiming to balance economic growth with environmental responsibility.
More information:
The Coalition for Polish Timber
www.oigpm.org.pl