Australian Forest and Wood Innovations (AFWI), Australia’s national institute for timber fibre, will host a panel session at this year’s Forestry Australia Conference, inviting leading voices to explore how the forest and wood products sector might evolve by 2035, and what it will take to support that change.
The session, Path to 2035: How might we enable transformation in the Australian forest sector?, will be moderated by AFWI Executive Director Dr Joseph Lawrence. It will feature a diverse panel of experts from across Australia and internationally, offering global and local perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing the sector.
Dr Lawrence said the discussion would be grounded in the realities the sector is already facing.
“Our industry is operating in a fast-changing environment. Emerging technologies, shifting markets, climate impacts and the increasing importance of social licence all play a role in shaping what’s next,” he said.
“Transformation doesn’t come easily. It takes long-term thinking, collaboration across sectors and supply chains, and a willingness to explore new approaches,” Dr Lawrence said.
The session will feature a panel of speakers exploring the socio-economics and technological dimensions of transformation:
- Professor John Warner (Warner-Babcock Institute, USA), a global leader in green chemistry, will discuss innovation in forest-derived bioproducts.
- Andrew Morgan (SFM) on new approaches to forest management, carbon and investment.
- Nicola Pero (Iberdrola Australia) will reflect onsocial licence to enable innovation, drawing on lessons from energy and agrifood industries.
- Tim Woods (IndustryEdge) will share insights into global market trends and resource availability for future housing demand in Australia.
Dr Lawrence said the session would be an opportunity to consider the future of the sector in a broader context.
“We want to encourage discussion about what the industry might look like in 2035, and what is needed to get there,” he said.
AFWI’s Path to 2035 session will take place as part of the 2025 Forestry Australia Conference from Monday 20 to Thursday 23 October 2025 in Adelaide.
Panellists pictured above (L-R), Nicola Pero (Iberdrola Australia), Tim Woods (IndustryEdge), Professor John Warner (Warner-Babcock Institute, USA) and Andrew Morgan (SFM).
