Infodoc : Sciences, Techniques et Culture

The forestry and forest-related industry, which generates a turnover of some 50 billion euros and provides from 250,000 to 400,000 jobs (depending on the calculation method), a figure close to that of the automotive sector (not including services), is a key sector in the French economy. It also has significant impact on climate change. There can be no effective control in this area without heavy involvement of this industry. In view of these implications, the players in the forestry and forest-related industry have joined forces, with the support of public authorities. The sector is recognised as a strategic area for the nation. It benefits from major opportunities but must continue innovating and dismantling barriers. While forests remain a symbol very dear to the hearts of our fello[...]

The forestry and forest-related industry, which generates a turnover of some 50 billion euros and provides from 250,000 to 400,000 jobs (depending on the calculation method), a figure close to that of the automotive sector (not including services), is a key sector in the French economy. It also has significant impact on climate change. There can be no effective control in this area without heavy involvement of this industry. In view of these implications, the players in the forestry and forest-related industry have joined forces, with the support of public authorities. The sector is recognised as a strategic area for the nation. It benefits from major opportunities but must continue innovating and dismantling barriers. While forests remain a symbol very dear to the hearts of our fellow citizens, the interest of the general public, of lead contractors and of contracting owners in timber is growing. As long as our forests are not “sanctuarized”, a “Wood Renaissance” is likely to gather momentum.
La filière forêt-bois, avec un chiffre d’affaires de l’ordre de cinquante milliards d’euros et un effectif compris entre 250 000 et 400 000 emplois (selon le mode de comptabilisation) voisins du secteur de la construction automobile (hors services), est un secteur clé de l’économie française. Elle agit aussi de façon importante contre le changement climatique. Il ne pourra y avoir de lutte efficace dans ce domaine sans implication forte du secteur. La filière forêt-bois, consciente de ces enjeux, s’est regroupée pour être plus performante, avec l’appui des pouvoirs publics ; elle est reconnue filière stratégique nationale. Elle bénéficie d’opportunités notables mais se doit de poursuivre l’innovation et la levée des freins. Dans le même temps où la forêt demeure un lieu symbolique cher à nos concitoyens, le bois bénéficie d’un regain d’intérêt de la part du grand public, de la maîtrise d’ouvrage et de la maîtrise d’oeuvre. Pour peu que nos forêts ne soient pas « sanctuarisées » un « printemps du bois » semble bien devoir se lever.