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Experts from FAO and partners have successfully pioneered new methods for estimating wood fuel removals and wood charcoal production. Source: Timberbiz While estimates of wood fuel removals and charcoal production are essential for tracking global goals including the Sustainable Development Goals, many countries still have difficulty producing reliable data due to the complexities of measuring informal markets and direct household collection of wood fuels. However, the new machine-learning approach enhances the estimation process by building on officially submitted statistics and also information from government websites, household consumption surveys conducted by international organizations, and published research. Results of the new methods published in Nature Communications suggest an additional 30 percent of wood fuel removals than indicated by previous estimates last made in 2005. These estimates – which include not only stems of harvested trees but also branches harvested and dead wood collected would mean that wood fuel removals account for more than half of the wood removed from forests and trees outside of forests globally. The research also presents new values for wood charcoal production, estimated at 50 percent higher than previously understood. “Such revisions are part of FAO’s process of constant improvement and innovation in statistical methods,” said FAO Forestry Officer Ashley Steel, one of the paper’s authors. “Wood fuel is a critical element of food security through its use for cooking and water sterilization by many of the most vulnerable, and a clear understanding of how much is produced is vital for addressing issues related to human health, food security, energy availability and sustainable development.” For 2019, the report estimates there were 2525.7 million m3 of wood fuel removals globally. These removals were estimated to be 50% higher in Africa and 40% higher in Asia than previously thought, as well as 10% lower in the Americas and 20% lower in Europe. Global production of wood charcoal was estimated at 70.5 million tonnes, with estimates 20% higher in Africa and 200% higher in Asia. The study could not determine reasons why new estimates are different from those of previous models, but reasons may include differences in actual versus forecast human population growth or urbanization rates, better incorporation of informal and undocumented production by using a consumption-based approach, changes in average household size, and the transition away from wood fuel toward charcoal and eventually towards clean energy. With this new methodology, FAO is now better positioned to support countries in submitting data on wood fuel removals or wood charcoal production. As this new approach provides more information and refined estimates, it can also be used to revise the data backward and create future estimates. “This approach is a big step forward, but estimates are in a constant state of revision, incorporating new statistical methods and new data every few years. The puzzle of understanding where the wood comes from, separating, for example, wood from forests and wood from trees outside of forests or wood from tree trunks versus wood from fallen branches, remains for the next iteration of modelling and estimation to tackle,” said Steel. The research on “Global wood fuel production estimates and implications” was conducted by experts from FAO, the University of Glasgow, the University of Göttingen, Sapienza University of Rome, EP Consulting, the Thünen Institute of Forestry, Tall Forester Trees, the International Renewable Energy Agency, the Stockholm Environment Institute, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, and the United Nations Statistics Division.

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Reaching 27m high and sat between two skyscrapers, the SGD 5.5 million Sprint Canopy is Southeast Asia’s tallest single-span timber structure and sits on CapitaLand’s $1.4 billion Geneo science park cluster development in Singapore. Source: Timberbiz Photo credits: Ergodomus Containing 780 different components, and 80 tonnes of custom-designed S355 steel connectors, it uses 1,150 m3 of PEFC-certified spruce and spans a 3,000 m2 public plaza that connects five buildings – acting as a functional but striking architectural landmark. The 1,150 m3 of spruce glulam, was fabricated and supplied by Versowood Oy. The architectural design references the fan vaulted ceilings of gothic architecture and European cathedrals. The huge columns could not be split into two parts and the arches were too wide for a standard 40ft shipping container, so the elements (some 19 m long) were manufactured offsite and shipped over a six-week journey to Singapore flat-packed, and pre-assembled in a warehouse 20 km from the site before final installation. Italian timber engineering specialists Ergodomus conducted advanced ‘Finite Element Method’ analysis to ensure structural stability under various loads, saying: “The toweringly high columns and the overall area covered by the structure make it one of the most ambitious projects we’ve ever undertaken.” By collaborating closely with the builder, Ergodomus developed an ‘optimal assembly sequence’ to design temporary bracing systems and account for different loads. On top of the timber structure is a glass roof to protect the plaza below. Drainage was a core design challenge. To deal with the regular heavy rain in Singapore, the canopy incorporates complex triangular geometry to manage water flow. The timber canopy not only delivers on design and structural performance; it also significantly lowers embodied carbon emissions – by an estimated 88% compared to steel and 63% compared to concrete. The use of PEFC-certified timber ensures full traceability throughout the supply chain. Verified by DoubleHelix, the canopy stores an impressive 952 tonnes of CO₂e in biogenic carbon, while emissions from harvest to installation totalled just 67 tonnes CO₂e – a powerful statement in favour of low-carbon construction. The structure ‘blends form and function’ and has been engineered to meet strict technical requirements to create an elegant and flowing timber structure. The glulam canopy is also being seen as a ‘significant learning milestone’ for Singapore’s construction industry as it looks to specify more mass timber for public developments. Venturer Timberwork’s canopy at Geneo is a model of how mass timber structures can transparently measure, report, and optimise biogenic carbon flows, while embedding circularity – fully in sync with ISO 14064 and emerging green building frameworks.

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Promoting the use of sustainable wood as a renewable resource is essential for the realization of a sustainable society. Beyond its role as a building material, wood is increasingly recognized for its potential to enhance human health and quality of life. Source: Timberbiz This event titled Wood, health and sound  brings together professionals and experts from diverse fields including architects, medical doctors, and musicians, to explore both the potential and challenges of wood utilization. Topics include cross-sector collaboration and the integration of scientific knowledge. Together, we will envision how sustainable wood use can contribute to a more sustainable society and a more comfortable daily life. This symposium is being organized in close cooperation between the forest-rich countries Japan and Austria and will be held on 17 September. The event will be held in Tokyo, Japan with the venue to be determined. The Forestry Agency, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (Japan) & Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Climate and Environmental Protection, Regions and Water Management (Austria) will be the hosts. It will be a hybrid event available in-person and live-streamed online in Japanese with
 simultaneous translation (English – Japanese)
. The event is free. More information at: https://www.bmluk.gv.at/en/coli/coli–japan2025.html

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In a hands-on collaboration that brings forestry education to life, Private Forests Tasmania partnered with the Forest Education Foundation to support the establishment of shelterbelts at Bothwell District High School’s Agricultural Learning Centre. Source: Timberbiz These shelterbelts were thoughtfully designed to address the site’s unique conditions, with layout and species selection tailored to moderate the strong northwestern winds that sweep across the flat Bothwell plain. “Once established, the trees will enhance growing conditions for the school’s hazelnut orchard and livestock paddocks, improving productivity while also providing environmental protection,” PFT Forestry Specialist Dion McKenzie said. But this project is about more than just trees. It’s about education and connection — giving students a real-world understanding of the value of trees on farms and the broader benefits that forests offer to rural communities. On Friday 25 July, students, teachers, and representatives from the Forest Education Foundation, Private Forests Tasmania, and Sustainable Timber Tasmania gathered to plant the trees together. The weather turned on ideal conditions, making the planting experience enjoyable for both students and seedlings alike. Sustainable Timber Tasmania generously supplied the seedlings, and the planting event has become a valuable addition to the school’s practical agricultural and environmental curriculum. “We look forward to watching the shelterbelts grow – providing not only protection for the farm but also a lasting learning resource for future students,” McKenzie said.

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A world-first tool is tracking Australia’s progress in sequencing the full genomes – or genetic blueprints – of the country’s 250,000-plus known and catalogued species. Source: Timberbiz Genome Tracker reveals that only 2% of Australia’s known and catalogued species have had their genome sequenced at least once. The online dashboard is part of the Australian Reference Genome Atlas (ARGA), a platform delivered through the Atlas of Living Australia, Bioplatforms Australia, Australian BioCommons and the Australian Research Data Commons. CSIRO’s Dr Kathryn Hall, ARGA project lead, said Genome Tracker is a step change in how genomic data coverage can be tracked, assessed and prioritised. “Whole genome sequencing for plants and animals provides insights for ecology, conservation biology, agriculture and biosecurity,” Dr Hall said. “It lets us peer back through evolutionary time to understand how species have adapted to the unique landscapes of Australia. “Genome Tracker clearly shows which parts of the family tree of life have strong representation and which are under-sequenced or entirely missing. “It helps researchers map existing genomic coverage and highlights under-represented areas for research.” The ultimate goal is to have genomes published for a wide cross-section of Australian biodiversity. “Genomes help us understand the adaptive traits of species – how they’ve uniquely adapted to their environment and how they’re evolving,” Dr Hall said. “The higher branches in the taxonomic tree of life represent older genomic divergence.” Genome Tracker tells us that these ancient branches currently have just 32 per cent genomic coverage. Improving their representation will deepen our understanding of how species have diversified and evolved over time. “These are exciting times for biology. Genomes give us roadmaps to trace how life came to be as it is today – and how we can work with that knowledge to protect it for generations to come,” Dr Hall said. “We can look at what drove changes in organisms, and this could help predict how species might adapt in the future. “As ecosystems change, this data spotlights populations for monitoring, conservation and protection.” Taxonomic descriptors, species occurrence records, and ecotype layering allow researchers to use ARGA to filter and search the indexed genomics data, and to track every species in Australia. Genome Tracker and ARGA use existing research infrastructure capabilities of the Atlas of Living Australia (ALA), Australia’s national biodiversity data infrastructure, which is hosted by CSIRO, the national science agency.

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New Zealand Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden announced targeted consultation with farmers and the wider agriculture sector to ensure health and safety regulations reflect the realities of farm life. Source: Timberbiz “I’m consulting with rural Kiwis in the agriculture sector on changes that will ensure health and safety requirements are workable and practical,” Ms van Velden said. “Farmers know their farms and the risks that come with farming life better than anyone. They’ve told me the law needs to recognise that the farm is often both their workplace and their home. That includes making space for children to safely learn and contribute to farm life in ways that are safe and age appropriate.” One proposed change is to amend the General Risk Regulations to make it clear that young people can safely take part in light chores on family farms. “We’ll be consulting with farmers and the agriculture sector on the thresholds for light chores children can do on farms, like collecting eggs, feeding small animals and watering plants, while ensuring safety is not compromised. I expect higher-risk activities such as being near heavy machinery like a hay baler will remain off-limits. As children grow older, they’ll be able to undertake more complex tasks with supervision and training, such as driving a tractor,” Mr van Velden said. These changes will give confidence to farming families that their children can continue to be involved with the family business. “I have also heard that farmers and forestry operators want industry-led codes of practice that reflect real-world conditions. I have asked WorkSafe to develop two Approved Codes of Practice (ACOPs) in consultation with the agriculture sector,” Mr van Velden said. “While compliance with ACOPs is currently voluntary, as part of my health and safety reform, I am making a change to the ACOP model to reassure people that if they comply with an ACOP, they have done enough to meet their health and safety duties.” WorkSafe will be developing an ACOP on roles and responsibilities in agriculture to help farmers navigate work activities. In particular, it will provide clearer guidance on overlapping duties and PCBU responsibilities in agriculture. “Farmers and other businesses coming on to the farm need to know what health and safety duties they are each responsible for and how they can best work together to manage the risks. For example, if a fencing contractor is working on a farm, both the contractor and the farmer will need to manage risks relating to their work, like moving vehicles or the use of agricultural sprays,” Mr van Velden said. Another ACOP that will be developed will focus on the safe use of farm vehicles and machinery, ensuring guidance reflects how modern farms operate. It will cover the safe use of quad bikes, tractors, light utility vehicles such as side-by-sides, and two-wheel motorbikes, as well as farm machinery. “Too many people are killed or seriously injured in quad-bike related incidents. However, I understand there are varying practices and views on what protections will best enhance safety and reduce harm,” Mr van Velden said. “It is important that the ACOP provides practical, workable advice on the safe use of quad bikes and light tractors in a variety of circumstances to help address the high rates of harm. “I expect WorkSafe to work closely with the agriculture sector when developing these ACOPs to ensure that any rules are sensible and workable. It is important that farmers who know their work best are able to help shape the rules that will help keep them safe. “These changes will save time and costs for businesses and workers as we cut red-tape to make it easier to do business. When our Kiwi businesses thrive, there are more jobs and lower prices for all New Zealanders.”

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The Federal Government’s failure to implement actions under the National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy is undermining the push to improve national productivity, contributing to higher costs for businesses and consumer goods and weakening the economy. Source: Timberbiz Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Senator Bridget McKenzie said Australians have endured three wasted years in infrastructure under the Albanese Government which has cancelled, cut and delayed more than $30 billion worth of infrastructure projects. “It is now a year since the release of the five yearly review of the National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy but Labor has failed to act on the findings,” Senator McKenzie said. “The Federal Treasurer talks a big game on productivity but its actions, not words, that are needed.” “At a time when Labor’s industrial relations and other policies are undermining national productivity and adding costs and red tape to businesses, boosting productivity means fixing the freight task so we can get products where they need to go quicker and more cost effectively.” “Fixing the freight task means the safe and efficient movement of fresh food to supermarket shelves, medicines to hospitals, fuel to service stations and manufactured products to our ports for export. Senator McKenzie said the Strategy was established through a partnership between the Commonwealth and all states and territories following deep consultation and engagement with all sectors of the freight and logistics supply chains, to support industry address the ever growing freight task. “Industries came together over 2023 and 2024 to inform the five yearly review of the strategy but after all their hard work, the Albanese Government has failed to act, leaving industry in the dark and missing its own deadlines to respond by December last year,” Senator McKenzie said. “This is another example of the Albanese Government being too distracted with the wrong priorities instead of focusing on the core tasks of government like strengthen the economy by cutting congestion and blockages in freight supply chains.” “It is humbling to be reappointed to the Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development portfolio to continue my work of the past three years, pushing for improved policies to build the infrastructure Australian communities need, deliver safe, efficient and productive transport networks, and strengthen our regions,” Senator McKenzie said. “The Albanese Government has irresponsibly held back on building infrastructure to cut congestion at a time when Labor has let more than a million extra people into the country while young Australian families cannot find a home they can afford to buy or rent. “Families and small businesses are paying more for worse service in the aviation sector under Labor, with the Government overseeing reduced competition, the collapse of two regional airlines, higher airfares, and one in three flights cancelled and delayed under their watch. Senator McKenzie said Labor has stripped job creating community infrastructure funding from our regional communities despite the fact our regions are set to bear the brunt of Labor’s failed energy policies with higher power costs, wind turbines off our coastlines, 28,000 kilometres of powerlines carving through farms and parks, and solar panels carpeting land better used to produce food. “The Nationals are fighters for the regions and in a strong Coalition with the Liberal Party we will continue to hold Anthony Albanese and the Labor Party to account for their failures,” Senator McKenzie said.

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A new Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) released for MASSLAM — a laminated timber product made using Tasmanian plantation hardwood by Australian Sustainable Hardwoods (ASH) with fibre from Western Junction Sawmill (WJS) — confirms its potential as a low-carbon structural alternative for multi-res and commercial construction projects. Source: Timberbiz The findings arrive at a time when the role of embodied carbon in construction is under increasing scrutiny. The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), in its recent report Our Homes Weigh a Tonne, found that upfront emissions are now seven times more impactful than operational emissions over a building’s lifespan. While the report focuses primarily on Class 1a dwellings, it highlights a broader trend that applies equally and arguably more urgently to more intensive building typologies – Class 2 (multi-residential) and Class 5 (commercial) buildings. Upfront emissions from materials like concrete, brick and steel are now the dominant contributors to a building’s total lifecycle carbon. As the electricity grid becomes greener, early-stage material choices are becoming the dominant factor in determining a building’s whole-of-life carbon footprint. The newly released EPD for MASSLAM, independently verified under EN 15804 and ISO 14025, demonstrates a net carbon benefit of -748 kg CO₂e for every cubic metre used (A1–A3 stages, including biogenic carbon). This performance doesn’t just come from using renewable raw materials. It reflects a deliberate and integrated manufacturing approach: Biogenic carbon (carbon stored in trees during growth) account for -1,090 kg CO₂e per cubic metre in hardwood. Sustainable forestry practices ensure more wood fibre is grown than harvested. Vertical integration – ASH and supply partners WJS control from log to finished product. This gives complete visibility and control over sourcing, processing, energy use, and waste. Zero timber waste – all wood fibre received is used. Offcuts and sawdust from machining are repurposed notably, sawdust fuels thermal energy for timber drying kilns, accounting for around 80% of total on-site energy consumption. This significantly reduces reliance on fossil fuels or grid electricity. On-site renewable power – several NMIs (National Metering Identifiers) are in place across sites. The largest of these runs on 100% solar energy, further reducing operational emissions. This carbon performance compares favourably with conventional structural materials such as concrete and steel, which typically incur substantial embodied emissions during production and early-stage transport. In practical terms, this means a MASSLAM superstructure delivers a carbon benefit from day one. Traditional materials can require decades of operational savings to offset their initial impact. For projects targeting genuine decarbonisation, MASSLAM provides a substantial head start. MASSLAM is manufactured using plantation-grown hardwood from Tasmania — fibre originally intended for pulp production but diverted to long-lived structural applications. The MASSLAM plant is capable of delivering the superstructure for the equivalent of 2,000 homes per annum using modern methods of construction (MMC). The recently released Circularity Gap Report 2025 from thinkstep-anz confirms that despite increased awareness, Australia’s material circularity performance is declining. We’re consuming more and looping less — meaning immediate reductions in material carbon have become more critical than speculative recycling potential. Mass timber superstructures like MASSLAM don’t rely on a future circular practice to deliver impact. They reduce emissions today, while remaining renewable, bio-based, and recyclable at end of life. “For project teams — especially those working on government or institutional buildings — this supports a growing shift toward bio-based, renewable materials that offer immediate and measurable reductions in emissions. Unlike many recycled or circular materials that rely on theoretical future reuse, which is yet to be realised, mass timber solutions like MASSLAM offer clear carbon savings at the point of construction,” WJS and ASH Director and Business Development Manager, Daniel Wright, said. “In light of these findings some sustainability consultants are reconsidering the allocation of carbon reduction budgets. Instead of prioritising on-site renewable energy for buildings already capable of drawing energy from an increasingly renewable grid, there is an argument for reallocating investment toward a low-carbon structure, particularly where mass timber can displace high-emissions materials”. Mr Wright hopes this will result in a shift towards a more innovative building approach, explaining, “a large rooftop solar system for example, might reduce future emissions marginally over time. In contrast, replacing a concrete and steel frame with timber can cut several hundred tonnes of CO₂ upfront, based on current life cycle assessment (LCA) data. “Mass timber structures can also be delivered 20-30% faster and cheaper, but lack of experience from cost assessors and head contractors comes with added contingency. The potential savings from eliminating rooftop systems might help motivate decision makers to learn a new way of construction”. As the building sector works toward ambitious emissions targets, verified data like this helps designers, builders, and policymakers make informed, high-impact decisions.

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Private Forests Tasmania was front and centre at one of the state’s largest gatherings of red meat producers last week. PFT sponsored a Primary Session at the 2025 Red Meat Updates conference at the Tailrace Centre, Riverside, with the theme: “The influence of change on cost of production in red meat businesses.” Source: Timberbiz The session was chaired by PFT CEO Dr Elizabeth Pietrzykowski and featured a thought-provoking discussion facilitated by Felicity Richards and included insights from farmers James Knight (Sisters Pastoral), Georgie Burbury (Burbury Ag), and Midlands farmer and PFT Stems for CO₂ project grant recipient Dougal Morrison. Mr Morrison, a fifth-generation farmer from St Peters Pass, shared his family’s experience integrating forestry into their farming enterprise — a decision driven by careful analysis and long-term thinking. Following the harvest of a former Gunns eucalyptus nitens plantation, the family assessed their options: convert the land to pasture or replant with trees. They decided to establish Pinus radiata plantations, recognising the species’ suitability to Tasmania’s Midlands climate and soil conditions. “The land wasn’t ideal for pasture,” Mr Morrison said. “We weighed up the economics and decided replanting and claiming carbon credits made more sense — especially with support from two Private Forests Tasmania grants [a round 2 Integrated Farm Forestry grant and the Stems for CO₂ grant].” The new plantings will support both carbon sequestration and future timber production — and more importantly, Mr Morrison said, contribute to a succession-ready farm for the next generation at St Peters Pass. With 405 hectares of plantation and 30–40% of the property retained as native forest, the family applies a “right tree, right place” approach, using marginal land that’s not viable for grazing or cropping. Mr Morrison was candid about the learning curve. “I’m not a forester,” he said. “I’d strongly encourage anyone looking to plant or manage trees to get professional advice — on everything from species selection and planting to carbon and long-term management. PFT is a great place to start if you want pre-commercial guidance.” He also pointed to research showing the broader benefits of integrating trees into farming systems — from improving lamb survivability and pasture growth to enhancing water retention and providing shade and shelter for livestock. But his message was clear: “Don’t rush in. Understand your goals and work with a forestry consultant to plan properly”. For Mr Morrison and his family, trees on underperforming land aren’t just an environmental investment — they’re a strategic, economic decision that aligns with long-term, whole-farm planning.

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Victoria’s State Government is refusing to act on lack of firewood supply in rural and regional Victoria, including East Gippsland, according to Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull. And he says it is a problem that is very simple to fix. Source: Timberbiz Mr Bull, who wrote to Environment Minister, Steve Dimopoulos yet again on this matter, said the lack of understanding of the problem was extremely frustrating. “The one thing we should never run out of in this area is firewood, but it is the Government’s policies and overall lack of understanding of the situation has determined this outcome. “To make matters worse, the Mr Dimopoulos’ response states ‘firewood is a limited resource with unpredictable availability and demand can exceed supply’. “What rubbish. We have record fuel loads in the bush, debris everywhere, but government policy denies it being collected and used,” said Mr Bull. “The winding up of the timber industry significantly impacted supply as residual timber provided a lot of product to the market, and the government also removed the firewood timber coupes from contractors. “Combine this with the fact it has not extended public firewood collection periods (which it has the power to do) and we have a perfect storm.” Mr Bull said that some contractors were now bringing in firewood from interstate to meet demand, which “is just craziness in a place like East Gippsland”. “The Minister’s response also states, ‘the Victorian Government recognises supply availability is placing additional stress on people who rely on firewood’ – yet he won’t make the simple policy changes to address the matter.” Mr Bull said there were three simple, practical steps the government could take now to address the issue. “Announce an extension to the firewood collection periods, open up more collection areas to the public and return firewood coupes back to contractors who hold a commercial firewood licence,” he said. “Rather than trot out waffle that it is a limited resource (when it is most certainly not) and admit it is placing stress on people – just change the policies to fix the problem. “This of course is the same Minister we told free camping would not work time and again, which he pushed back before finally backflipping and making the changes we asked for. He needs to do the same here.”

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