Category: Five minutes with…

Takanori Nagano is an Associate Professor in the Department of Agricultural Engineering and Socio-Economics, at Kobe University, Japan. In the past 15 years, he has been involved in large scientific projects, assessing the impact of climate change on agriculture, mainly in terms of water resource management and adaptation to climate extremes. He has gradually shifted his focus to regional planning and today he sees bioeconomy as an integrated solution, to mitigate climate change, to create more job opportunities in rural areas and for enhancing ecological services.

Prof. Takanori Nagano will be appearing on the Education panel at the World Bioeconomy Forum (WCBEF) virtual event to be broadcast live from Ruka, Finland on 10th September 2020. He spoke to the WCBEF about the importance of education to the future of circular bioeconomy.

The Forest Policy and Resources Division leads FAO’s work in promoting sustainable forest management and providing leadership on the environmental, social and economic dimensions of forestry, including its contributions to poverty reduction and food security and nutrition.

Mette Wilkie is the Director of the Forestry Policy and Resources Division within Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). She has a background in Forestry and Environmental Management and over 30 years of experience in providing scientific evidence and policy advice to governments, partner organisations and international conventions.

Ms. Wilkie will be appearing on the Regulators and Climate Change, at the World Bioeconomy Forum (WCBEF) virtual event to be broadcast live from Ruka, Finland on 10th September 2020. She spoke to the WCBEF about the importance of a sound circular bioeconomy strategy and the bioeconomy’s role in the post Covid-19 world.

BASF is one of the world’s leading chemical company, with a vast portfolio ranging from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas.

Alois Kindler is a Sen. Principal Scientist in the Department of Organic Synthesis at BASF, with a particular interest for Lignin related Value Chains. He will be appearing on the Biobased value chains panel at the World Bioeconomy Forum (WCBEF) virtual event to be broadcast live from Ruka, Finland on 10th September 2020. Alois Kindler spoke to the WCBEF about the circular bioeconomy’s role in a post Covid-19 world and how the chemical industry can be supported to further enhance the development of new bioproducts.

UPM is a global leader of the bio-based forest industry with a history dating back over 100 years. UPM Biochemicals offers and develops innovative and sustainable wood-based chemicals for a variety of uses.

Christian Hübsch has been heading the UPM Biochemicals Lignin Team since 2015, with global responsibility for all lignin-related activities. He will be appearing on the third session “Bioproducts around us” at the World Bioeconomy Forum (WCBEF) virtual event to be broadcast live from Ruka, Finland on 10th September 2020. He spoke to the WCBEF about the future of bioproducts and the needed support for further development in the sector.

Founded in 2005, New Forests is a sustainable forestry investment manager offering leading-edge strategies in forestry, land management, and conservation with more than USD 4 billion in assets under management across the US, Australia, New Zealand and SE Asia.

David Brand is the Chair and CEO of New Forests and he will be appearing on the Sustainable financing Panel at the World Bioeconomy Forum (WCBEF) virtual event to be broadcast live from Ruka, Finland on 10th September 2020. David Brand spoke to the WCBEF about New Forest’s role in the circular bioeconomy as well as the investment opportunities in the sector.

Stora Enso develops and produces solutions based on wood and biomass for a range of industries and applications worldwide, leading in the bioeconomy and supporting the development of renewable eco-friendly products.

Annica Bresky will be appearing on the CEO Discussion Panel at the World Bioeconomy Forum (WCBEF) virtual event to be broadcast live from Ruka, Finland on 10th September 2020. She spoke to the WCBEF about Stora Enso’s role in the circular bioeconomy as well as operating in a post COVID-19 world.

Andrea Noske was appointed Head of Division at the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research in September 2015. Her main responsibilities include project funding as well as science and technology policy in relation to a bio-based economy.

She will be appearing during the first session “Regulators and Climate Change” at the World Bioeconomy Forum (WCBEF) virtual event to be broadcast live from Ruka, Finland on 10th September 2020. Andrea Noske spoke to the WCBEF about the importance of a sound circular bioeconomy strategy in a post Covid-19 world.

Dr. Jyrki Kangas is Professor of Forest Bioeconomy and Head of the School of Forest Sciences at the University of Eastern Finland. He was the CEO and Director General of Metsähallitus during 2007-2014, a State forest enterprise governing the state-owned lands and waters in Finland. Kangas has been awarded the Scientific Achievement Award by IUFRO and he has had plenty of national and international positions of trust; e.g., the Vice-President of EUSTAFOR, and the Chair of the Boards of Koli Forum and the Foundation for European Forest Research.

Dr. Jyrki Kangas will be appearing on the Education panel at the World Bioeconomy Forum (WCBEF) virtual event to be broadcast live from Ruka, Finland on 10th September 2020. He spoke to the WCBEF about the importance of education to the future of circular bioeconomy.

Suzano is the largest pulp and paper company in Latin America. With operations in nearly 60 countries and a history dating back 94 years, Suzano is the world’s second largest producer of eucalyptus pulp, one of the ten largest producers of market pulp and the regional market leader in paper for domestic and commercial use.

Walter Schalka will be appearing on the CEO Discussion Panel at the World Bioeconomy Forum (WCBEF) virtual event to be broadcast live from Ruka, Finland on 10th September 2020. He spoke to the WCBEF about Suzano’s role in the circular bioeconomy as well as operating in a post COVID-19 world.

Mariya Gabriel is the Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education, at the European Commission, the executive branch of the European Union, responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the EU treaties and managing the day-to-day business of the EU.

Mariya Gabriel will give a keynote speech during the first session, Regulators and Climate Change, at the World Bioeconomy Forum (WCBEF) virtual event to be broadcast live from Ruka, Finland on 10th September 2020. She spoke to the WCBEF about the importance of a sound circular bioeconomy strategy and the bioeconomy’s role in the post Covid-19 world.