A workshop on climate solutions through biobased products organized by Michigan State University and Luke on 26th May, ended a Business Finland led trade and study mission of delegates from the northern states of US.
Permanent Secretary Jaana Husu-Kallio from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has been involved since the co-operation between Finland and Maine started in 2019. In her opening remarks, she emphasized the need for new solutions in forestry as we are facing new challenges like drought and storms caused by climate change.
Husu-Kallio also mentioned the green transition, energy transition and the need for new materials that replace fossil materials.
“Side streams, recycling and reuse of materials are increasingly important. We need to have optimal building performance with as little impact on the environment as possible.”
US Ambassador to Finland, Douglas Hickey called for new, non-invasive ways of using natural resources.
“We need to educate people about the possibilities that green transition brings, especially in the US. Green economy is creating a lot of funds,” Dickey noted.
The aim of the MSU-Luke workshop was to look at the whole value chain and find new solutions to reduce emissions and store carbon in products.
“We are very well positioned to reach that goal. Solutions for climate change requires cooperation both internationally and between states in the US,” said Professor Richard Kobe from Michigan State University Department of Forestry.
The US participants came from the states of Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Washington and Arkansas. The industry delegation represented e.g. sawmills, large forest companies, forest owners and investors seeking equipment suppliers in Finland. The Finnish participants came from research institutes, universities, government, and industry.
Eleven working groups discussed the unique ways in which the full cycle of forestry products can be used to generate climate change solutions. The themes varied from Wood residual use in Long lived products to wildfires, and from wood product market innovations to biochar and ash soil amendments.
The workshop concluded with short wrap up statements from each work group chairperson. The next steps for each work group will be decided following the chairpersons’ reports.
“There is clear support for this work to continue and a possibility of a follow up bi-lateral workshop next year” said John Kettle, Director, Customer Solutions and International Relations.
The purpose of the US delegation visit to Finland was to exchange knowledge and to learn about Finnish forestry expertise and policy, ways to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, the forest industry, and companies in the sector. The visit was hosted by Team Finland and Business Finland.
