Derik Frederiksen Appointed as Director of FSC US

Broadleaves trees improve forest growth and yield and increase the diversity of forest species. Biodiversity helps forests to face the changing climate conditions and thrive. “If we achieve this goal, one fifth of all trees on sites that accommodate birch will be broadleaves. The increased amount will strengthen both tree species and many of other forest species and improve forests’ capacity to endure adverse weather conditions and insect damage caused by climate change,” says Risto Laaksonen, UPM’s Director, Forestry. According to Laaksonen, increasing the share of broadleaves trees also increases coniferous trees' strength to grow, at least according to current knowledge. At the same time, the competition within this more diverse group of species will become more intense. This brings balance to the ecosystem and reduces the risk that one species will overpower the others and cause damage.

The Home Depot® today announced the addition of solar installations at 50 stores as it continues to expand its alternative energy portfolio, essentially creating mini solar farms out of unused rooftops. The project will reduce electricity grid demand by an estimated 30 to 35 percent annually at each Home Depot store; the equivalent of powering 2,300 average U.S. homes for a year. The average store roof, at approximately 104,000 square feet, will accommodate 1,000 panels. The Home Depot is working with Current, powered by GE, on 20 solar installations at stores in New Jersey, as well as eight stores in Connecticut, Maryland and Washington, DC. An additional 22 stores in California and New York will receive solar, of which six will utilize Tesla Powerpacks to store energy and dispatch additional power as needed. Click Read More below for additional detail.

Important update for companies still certified against the 2013 version of the PEFC Chain of Custody standard. After 31 December 2023, certificates issued against the 2013 version of PEFC ST 2002 and PEFC ST 2001 will no longer be valid. This is an extension from the previously announced date of 14 November 2023, to enable all certification bodies to complete the issue of 2020 certificates to their certified companies. There will be no further extensions and therefore, from 1 January 2024 any remaining 2013 certificates will automatically lose their validity and will be shown as expired on the PEFC database. To be certified against the 2020 versions of the PEFC Chain of Custody and PEFC Trademarks standards, companies need to adapt their chain of custody management system and procedures to the revised requirements.