France forest sector faces recruitment needs and climate adaptation

The French wood and forest industry is experiencing significant shifts driven by climate change and decarbonization goals. The sector, which employs 420,000 people across 60,000 companies, faces an annual demand for approximately 20,000 new workers. Industry leaders note that the transition toward sustainable materials to reduce CO2 emissions is increasing the demand for wood over steel and concrete, yet the sector struggles with recruitment due to a lack of public awareness and perceptions of the physical nature of the work.

In the Vercors region, the PrepForeVer project has been launched to address the impacts of rising temperatures, droughts, and heatwaves on forest ecosystems. These climatic shifts are affecting tree health, including spruce attacks by bark beetles and the drying of various species, which threatens local wood production. The two-year initiative involves several regional organizations and aims to prepare both the forest landscapes and the local timber industry for long-term environmental challenges.