Romania has a nature-based forestry model shaped and applied over more than a century. WWF-Romania considers this legacy a strategic asset that could support the development of a sustainable forest-based bioeconomy capable of responding to both climate and economic challenges.
According to WWF, Romania’s forests are characterised by natural regeneration, native species diversity, long production cycles and long-term forest planning. These features contribute to biodiversity conservation, greater climate resilience and the production of high-quality timber.
Why is the connection between forests and the bioeconomy important?
Sustainable forest management must also be linked to the way timber resources are used. A well-managed forest needs an economy that respects natural cycles and transforms timber efficiently into durable, higher-value products.
WWF also highlights several challenges, including the lack of dedicated financial support for forests, the high costs of meeting environmental standards, economic pressure to increase harvesting levels, fragmented forest ownership and the limited use of Romania’s high-quality wood in value-added products.
Among the proposed solutions are recognising forests as a strategic sector in the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework, allocating funding based on performance, reforming the wood sales system, supporting associations of small forest owners and improving the efficiency and transparency of forest administration.
Such an approach could help maintain resilient forests while supporting a competitive, transparent forest-based economy capable of generating long-term value for local communities and society.
Source: WWF-Romania
Published by WWF-Romania: 23 July 2025