Studies and research

Deforestation made in Italy

  • 2026

According to the FAO’s Global Forest Resources Assessment 2025, forests today cover approximately 4.14 billion hectares, equivalent to 32% of the world’s land area. Despite a slowdown in the annual rate of loss, between 1990 and 2025 nearly 0.49 billion hectares of forest were lost — an area equivalent to 16 times the surface of Italy. The main driver of this loss in tropical areas is permanent industrial agriculture, linked to the very products analysed in this report. The EU (and Italy with it) imports, consumes, and processes large quantities of these raw materials, bearing direct responsibility for the forests of other continents.

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  The role of Italian businesses and consumers in global deforestation.

Associative models for tackling forest land abandonment in Italy

  • 2024

In a recent scientific article published in the journal Acta Silvae et Ligni with the title ‘Associative models for tackling forest land abandonment in Italy’, the authors delved into the potential of associative organisational models as an answer to this problem, with a special focus on the Italian context. Find out more

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Read the article In Italy, forest land abandonment is a growing challenge that threatens the resilience and stability of ecosystems. Fragmented ownership and a lack of active management increase vulnerability to climate risks such as wildfires and biodiversity loss. In a new scientific article published in Acta Silvae et Ligni, our team investigates how

Fuel for collective action

  • 2024

In this article, in English, the authors analysed the factors that hinder or favour the development of a local wood residue supply chain.

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A SWOT analysis to identify social barriers and drivers for a local woody biomass supply chain in an Italian alpine valley

Sottocorteccia | A book on bark beetles and changing forests

  • 2024

After the Vaia storm in 2018, another one immediately began: the epidemic of the type bark beetle, a beetle that attacks the most widespread and vital species in alpine forests, the spruce tree. In this book, the authors recount the bark beetle’s consequences on territories, communities, and the economy. The studies and analyses carried out by Etifor are featured in the chapter on estimating economic damage.

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After the end of Storm Vaia in 2018, a threat looms over the forests of the Northeast: the bark beetle.

The forestry sector in Paraguay

  • 2024

This paper presents the results of comprehensive research conducted on Paraguay’s forestry sector. The main objective of this study is to offer an in-depth analysis of the sector, identifying its strengths and weaknesses. The ultimate goal is to draft a preliminary roadmap for the sector’s development and facilitate its transition to sustainability.

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This document presents the findings of a comprehensive research study conducted on Paraguay's forestry sector. The primary goal of this study is to offer a thorough understanding of the sector, identifying its strengths and weaknesses. The ultimate aim is to draft a preliminary roadmap for the sector's development and facilitate its transition towards

The Upcoming EU Proposal on “Deforestation-free Products”: from Theory to Practice through the Lessons Learned from the EUTR Implementation

  • 2022

This article compares the new proposal for the “Zero Deforestation” Regulation with the current EU Regulation on Timber (EUTR), with the aim to shed some light on the new rules and the implications for the actors involved.

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Over the last few months, the European Commission has been discussing the adoption of a new Regulation to curb deforestation and forest degradation driven by the expansion of agricultural land. Already named “Zero Deforestation”, this proposal aims at aligning the policies on import with EU sustainability goals. When adopted, the new Regulation will

Non-wood forest products for people, nature and the green economy

  • 2021

This white paper is a call to recognise, and to leverage, the potential of NWFP to contribute to policy priorities in Europe, especially in relation to rural development, nature conservation, and human well-being. It shows how leveraging NWFP potential could contribute to the successful implementation of the European Green Deal, and to a greener and more sustainable post-COVID economy restart.

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Recommendations for policy priorities in Europe. A white paper based on lessons learned from around the Mediterranean.
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