Brazilian forest certification system submitted for assessment

UPM and the Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE) have been developing a method for assessing ecosystem services derived alongside the production of wood-based products. This pilot study focused on the environmental impacts resulting from the growth of trees used for the production of one tonne of pulp. In this study, the carbon sink effect, water protection and the sustainability of native forest species were analysed in detail. The study confirmed that the forest area from where pulpwood is sourced yields multiple benefits besides just wood raw material. The study examined the amount of wood required for the production of one tonne of softwood pulp at UPM in Finland, as well as the time required for the trees to grow. The trees purify over eight million litres of water and absorb over 4,000 kg of carbon dioxide during their lifetime.

Forest Stewardship Council, the world’s most trusted forest certification system, announced its 2019 FSC Leadership Awards in a celebration held in conjunction with Greenbuild 2019. Recognizing enduring commitment to forest conservation, the Awards highlight uncommon excellence that advances responsible forest management. “From biodiversity and carbon storage to a sustainable supply of wood and fiber, people are waking up to the importance of responsibly managed forests to tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges,” said Corey Brinkema, president of the Forest Stewardship Council U.S. “This year’s FSC Leadership Award winners demonstrate that we can conserve forests, fight climate change and protect wildlife habitat, even as we use forest products every day,” he added. FSC Leadership Awards celebrate forest owners, builders, architects, retailers, paper mills, manufacturers, environmental organizations and many others who contribute to the movement toward responsible sourcing and forest management.

Forest Products Association of Canada and its members welcomed the release yesterday of the 5-Year Progress Report on Implementation of the Recovery Strategy for Boreal Caribou. Like all Canadians, we want to ensure that all appropriate measures are taken to help caribou recovery and, like many academics and environmental organizations, we believe decisions must be based on sound science, local knowledge and the most recent research. It is important to understand that our forests are complex ecosystems with hundreds of species of mammals, birds and fish. The Progress Report confirms what our experience on the ground has told us – this is a complicated issue with multiple factors and different realities unfolding in different parts of the country. One of the most concerning parts of the Report that cannot be overlooked is that 21/51 ranges do not have sufficient data. We are prepared to bring our experience to bear in working with partners from federal and provincial governments to Indigenous governments and communities to environmental groups to ensure we have the data we need to support caribou recovery. Click Read More below for additional information.