Updated on 03/01/2025
The State has identified the forest-timber sector among the strategic sectors for accelerating the ecological transition, decarbonizing the economy by 2050 and developing national industrial sovereignty. This sector plays an essential role in achieving France's climate objectives, both through the forest carbon sink and that of wood products. The ecological planning roadmap dedicated to forests and wood brings visibility and coherence to public action and supports this sector in its development and structuring efforts. In terms of ecological planning, the 2024 finance law made it possible to increase the budgets necessary to continue investment efforts to an unprecedented level, resulting in the opening in 2024 of various calls for complementary projects within their scope. and their objectives.
Sustainable forest renewal aid: application submissions open since November 5
The “Forest Objective” report which was submitted on July 26, 2023 concludes with the following observation: 10% of the metropolitan forest could really be the subject of renewal or enrichment actions in the next ten years. Continuity has been provided to the aid system dedicated to “forest renewal”, taking over from the aid granted thanks to the two successive programs France Relance and France 2030. The “Cartogip” platform allows the submission of aid application files for community forests and private forests were opened on November 5. This “France Nation Verte” system provides financial assistance to forest owners to renew, enrich, improve their forests and develop the resilience of forest ecosystems, in the context of climate change.
The multi-year ambition for forest renewal remains inseparable from the availability of seeds and plants, which implies a rapid increase in the capacity of producing companies, as well as the capacity to carry out forestry work.
A support system for “Productive investment in the seeds and seedlings sector”: 50 winners with a budget of 7.6 million euros in aid, to increase the production of forest seeds and seedlings, and improve the economic and environmental performance of companies in the forest and agroforestry seeds and plants sector
The call for projects “Productive investment in the seeds and seedlings sector” launched in July 2024 received 56 applications, among which 50 projects were selected (46 nursery projects, 3 seed producer projects, 1 mixed project) , for an amount of aid of €7.6M corresponding to a total investment amount of €18.6M. The majority of these winners work in the forestry sector, i.e. 41 project leaders, while 9 projects relate to the agroforestry sector. These projects concern mainland France and overseas (Mayotte, Martinique and Réunion). This measure aims to improve the economic and environmental performance of companies in the forest and agroforestry seeds and seedlings sector, and enable the development of their production activities (improve forest and agroforestry seed harvesting capacities, guarantee the best success resumption of plantations and optimize their quality and monitoring, accelerate the modernization of companies and their equipment, in particular through the development of robotics and digital technology, etc.).
44 first winners selected following the call for projects “Efficient and resilient forestry exploitation and silviculture (ESPR)”, to invest in more efficient, innovative, soil-friendly equipment, limiting arduousness and the risk of accidents work
At the same time, a call for projects aimed at supporting companies carrying out wood exploitation work was opened in July 2024, following the previous system launched under France 2030. More than 245 requests were submitted (15 files submitted on the first component dedicated to collective and innovative projects for an aid request of €6.5M and 230 applications submitted on the second component dedicated to investments in individual equipment for a requested aid amount of €41.4 million). Given the large number of requests for aid, prioritization work is underway, based on different criteria, including the type of material requested (priority was given to planting materials, digital tools, preservation equipment of the soil, to alternative logging techniques), the environmental impact of the machines (impact on the ground) and the fact that the project leaders were able or not to benefit from aid under the previous system. As of now, 44 projects from mainland France and overseas (Reunion Island) have been selected among the priority files, for a total amount of €2.4 million in investments, benefiting from €1.2 million in state aid.
A call for projects to strengthen the “Defense of forests against fires” (DFCI): 83 winners spread across the entire territory for an amount of aid granted of 6.1M€
Furthermore, a call for projects “Defending forests against fires” (DFCI) was launched in 2024. The DFCI aims primarily to reduce the number of forest fire outbreaks and reduce the forest areas covered by fire in the regions at risk. This call for projects makes it possible in particular to finance investment work in equipment in areas at risk (water points, tracks, etc.), studies enabling the creation of area plans, Departmental Plans for the Protection of Forests Against Fires (PDFCI)… Plus 167 files were submitted for a requested aid amount of €24.3 million, half of these requests however corresponding to ineligible expenses (concerning the fight and not the prevention of fires, or maintenance work and not investment…). After examination, 83 winners spread across the entire territory (including overseas) were selected for aid granted of €6.1 million, corresponding to an investment of €7.6 million. The files retained are mainly brought by communities (municipalities and communities of municipalities, unions, departments, etc.) but also by forest owners, public establishments, etc.
Aid for investment in downstream wood industries: two calls for projects to strengthen competitiveness linked to the development of the use of wood, 51 applications selected corresponding to an amount of aid allocated of €105 million
To succeed in the challenge of a sustainable ecological transition, it is necessary to strengthen the competitiveness of wood industries in connection with the development of the use of wood in the economy, a renewable material substitutable for other materials from the transformation of fossil resources. In line with the 2023-2026 strategic contract for the wood sector, two calls for projects were opened in 2024, in order to help the wood industries modernize.
The call for projects “Perfect Industrialization of Wood Products” (IPPB) was the subject of 58 applications submitted. 41 winning applications were selected after examination, in mainland France and overseas (notably Guyana), for a total investment amount of more than €288.1 million, corresponding to €76.1 million in aid granted. This aid will ultimately enable the mobilization of 482,000 m3 of additional timber quality wood every year, with the creation of nearly 300 jobs, located mainly in rural areas. These projects will improve the valorization of wood resources, by prioritizing long-life uses and optimizing transformation processes (better valorization of dying, bark-bearing or undervalued wood, acquisition of equipment to increase material yield and to improve the energy efficiency of installations, creation of engineered wood production units, etc.). These projects will also make it possible to improve the working conditions and qualification levels of staff. A second part of the call for projects is open today with a priority placed on the valorization of hardwood species.
Furthermore, the call for projects “Biomass Heat for the Wood Industry” (BCIB) aims to support wood industries in setting up efficient installations to meet their needs for drying wood material.[1] while ensuring their energy autonomy from their co-products. This device helps with investment in heat and electricity production equipment, as well as wood material dryers. Out of a total of 14 applications submitted, 10 winning applications were selected. These projects will mobilize a total investment of €77.6 million, supported by an amount of €28.8 million in aid granted. These projects will allow the drying of an additional 190,000 m3 of sawn timber per year (production of 308 GWh thermal and 12 GWh electrical per year).
These two aid schemes will support investment in innovative solutions, while promoting, within the framework of sustainable management, French forest resources. This dynamic should make it possible to promote all qualities of wood, the best qualities which will make it possible to produce products with a long lifespan, but also lower quality products, such as crisis wood or co-products from forestry.
The forestry ambition carried by the State through ecological planning has been unprecedented for 25 years. It aims to revitalize the forestry sector as a whole, in a proactive manner, in response to a climate in profound change due to human activities.
[1] Accelerated (unnatural) drying of wood is a prerequisite to prevent moisture-related deformation and enable its transformation into construction products.
