Assunção Cristas gave an interview to Jornal de Negócios in which she analysed the main challenges and opportunities facing Portugal’s forestry sector, highlighting the crucial role of innovation, the economic value of ecosystems, and the relationship between public policy and private land management.
In the interview, titled ‘Product Innovation is Essential for the Forest’, the VdA lawyer argued that, despite its significant potential, Portugal’s forest sector remains hindered by unprofitable business models and a highly fragmented ownership structure. To overcome these challenges, she advocates for investment in innovative products and services, harnessing the potential of the bioeconomy and biotechnology, and exploring carbon and biodiversity markets.
Assunção Cristas also emphasises that the future of forests relies not only on environmental considerations, but also on economic and social dimensions. 'The economic and financial issues are closely tied to sociological and even psychological factors, to family and inheritance matters, to the strong bond with the land, and to the way smallholdings shape people's sense of identity', she noted, adding that any effective solution must take this complexity into account.
On public forestry policy, Assunção Cristas acknowledges the importance of the 2025–2050 Forest Intervention Plan but stresses the need to ensure its proper implementation, with adequate staffing and funding.
She also highlighted the positive impact of the Forest is Sustainability Award, for which she chairs the jury and whose applications are open until 30 November. She believes the initiative has helped showcase best practices in the sector, encourage self-reflection within organisations, and promote the sharing of knowledge.
- This interview can be read in the 20 June print edition of Jornal de Negócios.
