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Future Wood: New Climate and Political Challenges

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It is a network of organizations and individuals originating from and based in Chile's forestry-oriented localities, with diverse stakeholders shaping a heterogeneous, dynamic, and deeply rooted productive sector in territories rich in traditions and ways of life linked to wood.

Facing the planet's environmental challenges and the major transformation processes underway in Chile, one of this network's first actions has been the Future Wood Dialogues, a massive and extensive series of meetings across five regions of the country. These aim to engage and listen to nearly 300,000 workers in Chile's wood industry, gathering their opinions and proposals for sector development and building a greener, more social future.

Already, 6,500 people have joined the conversation. During the regional dialogue in Ñuble and Biobío on January 6, the first proposal from this collaborative network emerged: a popular constitutional initiative presented to the Constitutional Convention, "Right to Sustainable Development and Promotion of Nature-Based Solutions," seeking to protect the future of forests and wood in Chile.

Concrete proposals for the new administration and regional governments, derived from these discussions, are also expected in the first quarter of 2022. "Dialogue benefits us. We know the world and people need wood and its products, but we recognize the need to strengthen social capital around this sustainable industry. It's time to look ahead and envision tomorrow—from the people, the regions, and wood itself," says Antonio Minte, Manager of the Chilean Biomass Association.

For Senator Guido Girardi, President of the Senate's Future Challenges Commission, Chile's forestry vocation is a major opportunity: "35% of Chile's land is only suitable for trees—it has a purely forestry vocation. I see immense potential. The future, I insist, cannot be built with steel and cement alone—that’s the 20th century. Climate change will transform everything, and among other things, we’ll have a world, a future made of wood," he stated.

The Future Wood Network

Future Wood brings together the Chilean Biomass Association (Achbiom), the Association of Forestry Contractors (Acoforag), the Chilean Wood Corporation (Corma), the Native Forest Owners Association (Aprobosque), and the Small and Medium-Sized Wood Enterprises Guild (Pymemad), along with companies and other organizations. Its goal is to renew the wood and bioproducts ecosystem, valuing them as responses to the global climate emergency due to their vast potential in the bioeconomy and as a path for sustainable development in Chile’s localities and regions. We spoke with leaders of these guilds about their expectations and challenges:

Jan Koster, President of Aprobosque

"It’s fantastic that forestry guilds are coordinating this way, with a facilitator for these activities—something we should have done long ago. But it wasn’t done, leading to a lack of visibility, poor communication with society and authorities, or only partial engagement. With Future Wood, the first step is aligning internally, smoothing differences, and seeking improvements. Second, engaging society—a crucial exercise amid Chile’s political shifts.
Our guild, Aprobosque, participated remotely, contributing insights on native forests.
The urgent challenge is communicating the sector’s challenges and opportunities to society, especially regarding rural violence. Ensuring respect for property and nature—from industries, foresters, landowners, and others—is key. Authorities must recognize this sector’s immense potential for the future and climate change mitigation."

René Muñoz, Manager of the Forestry Contractors Association

"Bringing together forestry guilds and wood-related actors to discuss sector challenges is a long-overdue effort. Perhaps it took too long, but now is Future Wood’s time.
The forestry sector’s importance demands critical self-assessment and bold proposals to change outdated models. This way, we can showcase its advantages to society.

As the first link in the production chain, contractors engage directly with local communities. Our social responsibility—in road maintenance, local hiring, and services—ensures forestry is valued for its community contributions.
Future Wood’s main challenge is uniting stakeholders under a shared vision, emphasizing forest sustainability, CO₂ capture, ecosystem services, wood construction, and replacing synthetics with wood-based products.
The future economy is green, and forests—native or planted—offer nature-based solutions."

Alejandro Casagrande, President of Corma, Biobío and Ñuble Regions

"This initiative is extraordinary. Dialoguing with guilds, unions, workers, and neighbors in the wood sector is vital—to improve, celebrate achievements, and collaboratively build a sustainable Chile and world with nature-based solutions.
Corma represents 150 small, medium, and large forestry firms committed to sustainable development, community harmony, environmental protection, and SME-focused innovation.
We span the entire forestry logistics chain, from nurseries to export ports, and share Future Wood’s vision.
Climate change is a threat but also an opportunity for wood. Chile’s forestry vocation—24% forested land—must not be wasted. The future is wood, replacing carbon-heavy materials like fossil fuels, cement, and plastics. Forests offer more than wood—they provide ecosystem services like recreation, water cycle regulation, and soil protection."

Rodrigo O’Ryan, President of the Chilean Biomass Association

"This initiative unites a sector critical for society, the environment, and the economy. The shift from fossil fuels to bioeconomy is urgent, and forestry plays a massive role.
Achbiom uses forestry byproducts for energy—industrial, domestic, and beyond. Future Wood’s vision aligns with our goal to promote renewable energy within a bioeconomy framework, integrating biomaterials, bioproducts, and cross-sector services.
We must debunk myths about forestry’s environmental impact and highlight its benefits. People love wood products but disconnect them from forests. Initiatives like 'Chile as a Global Forestry Power' are steps forward. We must also heed critiques from academia, environmentalists, and SMEs to ensure inclusivity."
The urgency is making Chileans as proud of their forestry sector as Finns, New Zealanders, and Canadians are. I urge all Chileans dreaming of a green, modern, sustainable world to support Future Wood."

Michel Esquerre, President of PymeMad

"Future Wood is unprecedented—a sign that large companies are opening dialogue and moving past exclusion. All sector voices matter to improve forestry’s public image, often marred by bias. Past mistakes in communication, sustainability, and community relations must be addressed. No one in forestry is dispensable.
As founding members, we’re aligned with Future Wood’s goals. Traditional approaches won’t suffice—territorial communities must be part of decision-making.
A key challenge: people love wood but disassociate it from forests. Future Wood seeks to bridge this gap."

For more information, visit www.futuromadera.cl