On 4 March 2026, the Piedmont Region hosted the second Focus Lab of the Interreg Alpine Space project DIVERSE – Integration of bioDIVERSity conservation within bioEnergy production for a low-carbon energy mix in the Alpine region. The meeting, titled “Supply and Demand of Biomass for Energy Use in Piedmont”, took place at the Regional Government headquarters in Turin and brought together national and regional stakeholders from across the forest-wood-energy sector.
The objective of the workshop was to identify policy guidelines and practical actions to improve the sustainable use of biomass for energy while ensuring the protection of biodiversity and the long-term management of forest resources.
The session began with a presentation of future scenarios for biomass supply and demand, developed using the outcomes of the first Focus Lab, stakeholder interviews, and a review of scientific and sectoral reports. These scenarios provided the basis for a participatory discussion among participants.
During the interactive workshop, stakeholders proposed ideas and concrete actions that were organised into three thematic areas: public rules and tools, supply chain organisation and structure, and infrastructure, skills and market development. The discussion considered possible interventions at national, regional and local levels, highlighting the importance of coordinated governance across different scales.
Participants underscored the need for strengthening sustainable forest management, improving market transparency, and promoting local supply chains based on the cascade use of wood. The dialogue also highlighted the importance of stable and coherent regulatory frameworks to encourage long-term investments in forest management, renewable heating systems, and local biomass supply chains.
Looking ahead, the insights gathered from these two Focus Labs will be instrumental in shaping the territorial strategies needed to balance biomass supply and demand in Piedmont, while advancing the broader mission of the DIVERSE project across Alpine regions. By uniting policymakers, researchers, and market actors, the workshop served as a vital platform for exchanging knowledge and co-designing solutions that align climate neutrality with rural development and biodiversity protection. Ultimately, these collaborative outcomes will fuel the project’s next phases—from the work of the Thematic Working Groups to the final development of joint Alpine trajectories for sustainable bioenergy systems