Assessing the forest-wood chain at local level: A multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) based on the circular bioeconomy principles

In the last years, the circular bioeconomy has been recognized as key approach to increase the competitiveness of enterprises and economic growth in the European Union (EU) member countries. Forest-based sector plays a key role in the circular bioeconomy. The aim of the present study is to analyze the forest-wood chain at local level following the circular bioeconomy approach. A set of indicators to quantify the 4R (“Reduce”, “Reuse”, “Recycle”, “Recov-er”) of circular economy has been defined and tested in a study area in Italy (Monte Morello forest in Tuscany region). The indicators identified and tested are: improving production process efficiency; reuse and life-span of wood products; optimization of potential wood assortments and energy recover from the wood products. By means of the indicators and a Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA), the current forest management strategy applied in the study area has been compared with other possible forest management scenarios in order to evaluate the optimum solution. The results show that the current forest management strategy did not optimize the productive function because the wood harvested is wholly allocated for bioenergy production. The economic value and the life-span of wood products can be increased by means of the wood harvested valorization. Anyway, the results show a favorable balance concerning the carbon dioxide (CO2) emission – considering the fossil fuel substitution effect – and the bioenergy production from deadwood.