The launch event for ESA’s new Space for Bioeconomy Task Force discussed currently existing use cases as well as upcoming opportunities for sustainable forestry.
On 24 October, the European Space Agency (ESA) launched their new Space for Bioeconomy Task Force with an event in Utrecht, the Netherlands. The Task Force will focus on collaboration, innovation and practical solutions in the field of bioeconomy. As a part of it, a call for proposals using space solutions for sustainable forestry will be launched in early November.
CEPF Junior Policy Officer, Alina Lehikoinen, participated in the event and gave a joint statement on behalf of CEPF, EUSTAFOR and Copa-Cogeca. The statement highlighted the opportunities as well as the challenges of harnessing space-based technologies. A reminder was also expressed of the importance of integrating these technologies with on-ground expertise, regional interpretation and practical experience of forest owners and managers. The whole statement can be read here.
Many different organisations and companies presented their already existing use cases of space solutions for forestry, for example applied in conservation, deforestation monitoring and carbon measurements. The new call for sustainable forestry can be expected to widen the range of application opportunities to other aspects of forestry as well.
CEPF looks forward to the collaboration with ESA and the rest of the Task Force members, and hopes that down the line through this collaboration, new interesting products and services will be created to support forest owners’ work.
Group photo of the Inaugural Bioeconomy Task Force (c): ESA
