Forestry

From Timber to Ecosystem: Reimagining What Forests Can Deliver

THE CHALLENGE

Forestry and land use together account for nearly a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions and an estimated 50% of pressures on terrestrial biodiversity. Certification and due diligence have laid important groundwork, but they are not, on their own, enough to achieve the scale and speed of transformation required. The GoNaturePositive! Forestry Pilot is testing a more ambitious model — one that embeds nature-positive thinking directly into forestry value chains, from the forest floor to the finished product.

25% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from forestry and land use combined.

WHO IS LEADING THIS WORK?

The pilot is led by Etifor | Valuing Nature, a certified B Corp and university spin-off of the University of Padova. Working at the intersection of science and practice, Etifor supports companies, organisations, and public administrations in assessing nature-related risks, quantifying their impacts and dependencies on nature, and committing to measurable targets aligned with the mitigation hierarchy: avoid, minimise, restore, and compensate.

The Network’s approach is rooted in creating spaces for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and capacity building, recognising that the conditions pollinators need to survive are the same conditions that support healthy, resilient food systems and rural livelihoods.

WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE GROUND?

Certification & FSC:
Guiding companies through PEFC and FSC certification for sustainable forest management and chain of custody.

Training next-gen professionals:
Launching a “Geo-Forestry Technician” training programme in Tréveiso to build the next generation of forestry professionals.

Public outreach:
Running programmes including Foresta in Città (Forest in the City) and National Tree Day to connect urban populations with the value of forests.

WHAT IS ALREADY CHANGING?

Friuli-Venezia Giulia is already among Italy’s top three regions for certified sustainable forest area. Progress in the pilot is beginning to build on that foundation:

  • The region is actively expanding the hectares certified under PEFC and FSC, with growing investment in the verification of ecosystem services within those same standards
  • Spruce monocultures, made devastatingly fragile by the 2018 Vaia Storm and subsequent bark beetle outbreak, are gradually giving way to mixed-species forests, increasing both ecological resilience and long-term productivity
  • Cascade use of wood and residues is growing, supporting a more circular approach to forest resources
  • New forms of nature-based tourism, including forest therapies and forest bathing, are beginning to create economic value from ecosystem services without resource extraction

WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE FOR THIS TO SCALE?

Climate vulnerability

The Vaia Storm of 2018 exposed the fragility of monoculture forestry. Climate change is shifting forest composition and attitude, demanding active adaptive management and species migration planning.

Land fragmentation

Highly fragmented land ownership makes it economically unviable to develop consistent management plans and infrastructure at the landscape level.

Rural depopulation

As people leave mountain communities, they take with them the skills, knowledge, and workforce that sustainable forest management depends on.

The valuation gap

Timber is easier to sell than ecosystem services. Without stronger payment mechanisms and recognition for the full value of forests, it remains difficult to mainstream multifunctional, nature-positive management.

“To move the market, you need a strong business case. Nature-positive should become an opportunity and an economic advantage, not an unnecessary burden.”

KEY LESSONS

  • Participatory processes matter. Engaging all actors, from forest owners to policymakers, builds the broad acceptance and ownership that top-down mandates cannot achieve.
  • Economic diversification is essential. High-value certified timber, payments for ecosystem services, social enterprise models, and nature-based tourism together create resilience that no single revenue stream can.
  • Digitalization is a critical enabler. From traceability to monitoring, digital tools are transforming what is possible in forest management.
  • Forests are infrastructure. They are not simply raw material sources. They are essential systems that support human health, water security, climate resilience, and community wellbeing.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

01

Increased knowledge and capacity around nature-positive approaches in carbon insetting across the forestry sector.

02

Co-development with FSC of a product label for forest goods sourced from areas with verified positive impacts on biodiversity, water, carbon, and ecosystem services.

03

Sector guidance on implementing nature-positive approaches through insetting and nature-based solutions across the full value chain.

04

Scale-up from 5 demonstration cases to 500 companies across the global forestry supply chain
Explore the roadmap

Standard Bodies

Your work helps ensure transparent and reliable practices across industries. Partner with us to create and promote standards for a nature-positive future.

Who are you

You could be working with industry-specific standard-setting bodies or certification schemes. You might be involved in developing, implementing, or auditing environmental and sustainability standards.

Why you're crucial

Your role in developing standards is key to avoiding greenwashing and supporting transparency and accountability across the NPE.
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Researches & Academics

We’re gathering experts to understand and measure the Nature-Positive Economy. Be part of our effort to break down silos and advance global research on this crucial topic.

Who are you

You might be a professor, scientist, PhD student, or researcher in fields related to environmental science, economics, or business sustainability, or any discipline contributing to the Nature-Positive Economy.

Why you're crucial

Your research and academic insights are fundamental to developing a clear definition and conceptual framework for NPE.
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Citizens & Communities

Your daily choices and community actions are the foundation of a Nature-Positive world. Join us in building communities that prioritise both people and nature. 

Who are you

You are individuals, community leaders, local activists, or members of grassroots organisations who care about nature and want to make a difference locally.

Why you're crucial

Your deep understanding of unique environmental challenges is key to shaping an effective and inclusive Nature-Positive Economy.
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Environmental Bodies & NGOs

Your experience and knowledge are invaluable in shaping what a Nature-Positive Economy means for people and the environment.

Who are you

You could be working for or leading environmental organisations, conservation groups, sustainability-focused NGOs, or any non-profit entity dedicated to protecting and restoring nature at local, national or international level.

Why you're crucial

Your deep understanding of unique environmental challenges is key to shaping an effective and inclusive Nature-Positive Economy.
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Finance & Investors

You are already showing how to work with nature, your experience can help others do the same. Partner with us to co-create a future for the Nature-Positive Economy.


Who are you

You might be an investment banker, venture capitalist, public funder, angel investor, insurance company representative, or anyone involved in financial decision-making who could support nature-positive initiatives across different sectors.


Why you're crucial

Your role in creating conditions and incentives for NPE investment is fundamental to its long-term success.
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Nature-based Enterprises

You are already showing how to work with nature, your experience can help others do the same. Partner with us to co-create a future for the Nature-Positive Economy.


Who are you

You could be running or working in businesses that directly work with and for nature as a core element of a product or service, such as agriculture, forestry, fisheries or tourism. 



Why you're crucial

Your expertise in working with and for nature is essential for developing and implementing the NPE framework, and for inspiring others to follow your lead. 
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Business

Your success is vital for demonstrating that prosperity, competitiveness and sustainability can go hand-in-hand. We’re here to support you in generating value through nature-positive practices.

Who are you

You might be a CEO, sustainability officer, business owner, or manager in any sector looking to integrate nature-positive practices into your operations. This includes both large corporations and SMEs.

Why you're crucial

Your understanding of nature’s impact and dependencies on business is key to aligning with the NPE concept.
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Policymakers

Your success is vital for demonstrating that prosperity, competitiveness and sustainability can go hand-in-hand. We’re here to support you in generating value through nature-positive practices.

Who are you

You could be a local government employee, a member of the EU Commission, a national policy advisor, or anyone involved in creating and implementing environmental, economic and social policies at any level.

Why you're crucial

Your role in adapting policies, regulations, and guidance is essential for aligning with systemic change towards a Nature-Positive Economy.

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Shape Europe's Nature-Positive Future

Join 500+ businesses in our 15-minute survey shaping EU policy, sector roadmaps, and support programmes.

✓ Early access to findings 

✓ Influence on standards & training

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