Global Forestry Students’ Perspectives on Bioenergy from Forests

Introduction
The growing emphasis on sustainable energy solutions has positioned Bioenergy from Forests (BEF) as a key component in the transition towards carbon neutrality. Recognising the need for informed, multi-stakeholder dialogues, The Forests Dialogue (TFD), in collaboration with The Forest School at Yale School of the Environment, convened a Scoping Dialogue on BEF in the United States on 27 February 2024. As BEF remains a relatively unfamiliar topic within the forestry sector, the International Forestry Students’ Association (IFSA) seeks to gather insights from its global membership through a survey initiative. This effort aims to capture perspectives on the opportunities and risks of BEF, including its potential to mitigate climate change, concerns over forest degradation, and market developments, particularly in the United States.

Research Aim
The aims of this project are:
1. Assess the current level of awareness and understanding of BEF among global forestry students, highlighting knowledge gaps and educational needs.
2. Identify key areas of interest for further engagement, including perspectives on BEF’s role in climate change mitigation, environmental trade-offs, and market
developments, to inform IFSA’s future discourse and initiatives.

Please take the time to fill out the survey here https://forms.gle/hkAW7RB2th1bezBaA