Metsä Group is funding nature projects again – the focus is on supporting the nature relationship of children and youth

“We need a paradigm shift in how society perceives the whole forest/tree value chain,” said Ben Gunneberg, CEO of PEFC International, as he opened the 22nd PEFC General Assembly, in Helsinki, Finland. “Society is at a crossroads and the strategic direction we choose will provide the opportunity for us to demonstrate the real value of sustainable forests and their contribution to society in achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.” “Climate change, a growing urban global population, cooperation challenges, are all issues we have to tackle, by demonstrating how forests are an important part of the solution,” Ben highlighted. Click Read More below for additional information.

Sumitomo Forestry, a Japanese company is planning to build the world's tallest wooden skyscraper to mark its 350th anniversary in 2041. Only 10% of the 70-storey W350 tower would be steel, combined with about 180,000 cubic metres of indigenous wood which will make up for 90% of the building. This will limit the carbon footprint of the building as the wood will store the carbon instead of emitting it into the atmosphere. There will be about 8,000 homes, with trees and foliage on balconies at every level, creating a pleasant space for plants and living organisms and in turn contributing to the biodiversity of the city. In doing so, the company will be on track to meet its wider objective to create environmentally-friendly and timber utilising cities and maintain the livelihood of the forest ecosystem. Click Read More below for additional information.

It’s important for companies and consumers to understand the end-of-life pathways for paper materials, like paper recycling or composting, so that they can make smart choices. Exploring the compostability or biodegradability of various types of paper and the advancements in bio-based coatings can help organizations make informed decisions that align with environmental sustainability at a time when consumers are demanding sustainability and transparency around practices. When paper products are not recycled, they typically end up in landfills. In these anaerobic environments, organic materials like paper decompose slowly, potentially releasing methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Alternatively, some paper waste may be processed through combustion with energy recovery, contributing to energy production but also emitting carbon dioxide. Recycling paper products, which can be collected and reused to make new products, is the ideal solution, but recycling infrastructure can vary from state to state, even city to city. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and American Forest and Paper Association (AF&PA) estimate U.S. paper recycling at 65%-69%.