Preferred by Nature, IKEA, and European Forest Institute Launch Research Project to Future-Proof Responsible Forest Management
As the threats of climate change and biodiversity loss loom, Preferred by Nature has joined forces with IKEA and the European Forest Institute (EFI) in a research project aimed at rethinking how forests are managed and conserved for future generations.
The large-scale research project is designed to explore, test, and scale improved forestry practices. A Closer-to-Forest Management add-on developed by Preferred by Nature will be central to the research.
The initiative, which is piloted in Latvia, will focus on strengthening forest climate resilience and reducing negative impacts on biodiversity, setting the stage for transformative change across the production forestry sector.
“When we plant a tree today, we’re shaping the forest of the next century. In a changing climate, we can’t just repeat what worked in the past. We need to rethink forest genetics, species mixes, and management models to build forests that are highly productive, climate-resilient, and rich in biodiversity and carbon,” said Peter Feilberg, Executive Director of Preferred by Nature.
“When we plant a tree today, we’re shaping the forest of the next century.”
Peter Feilberg
Executive Director of Preferred by Nature.
16,000 hectares allocated for pilot
The research will be supported by Inter IKEA Group and Ingka Group, which are jointly funding the project and allocating 16,000 hectares of forestland across Europe for testing innovative forest management models and alternative solutions.
“At IKEA, we recognise the vital role that forests and nature play in helping mitigate climate change. As a large user of wood, we want to contribute to protecting the valuable forests where we operate. Our ultimate aim is to scale these successful solutions across the forests we own or source from, and to improve forest management standards well beyond the IKEA business,” said Mikhail Tarasov, Head of Forestry at Inter IKEA Group.
Science-Driven Solutions for a Changing Climate
The research project is grounded in science-based approaches and will involve adapting forest management methods in carefully selected sites where opportunities for improvement have been identified. Among the techniques to be piloted are closer-to-nature forestry, continuous cover forestry, and other practices that promote climate change mitigation, adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and the delivery of vital ecosystem services.
Marcus Lindner, Head of EFI’s Resilience Programme, said:
“It is of paramount importance to adapt sustainable forest management practices to cope with climate-related disturbances and extreme events. Through this collaboration, we aim to provide a scientific foundation for adaptive strategies that ensure the long-term resilience and biodiversity of European forests.”
One of the project’s key ambitions is to integrate research findings into leading forest certification systems like FSC. By doing so, the partners aim to amplify the project’s impact beyond IKEA’s own forest operations and into broader forest supply chains and landscapes across Europe.
Download the press release
Learn more about Preferred by Natures Closer to Nature add-on here.
Featured photo by IKEA
