Forest Products Industry

The US government is funding “blast testing” of mass timber construction systems, with the Department of Defence and the State Department keenly interested in using cross-laminated timber in various building environments. Source: Timberbiz That is, according to Kevin Naranjo, National Program Manager for Mass Timber at the US Forest Service Wood Innovations Program, who spoke to the Timber Construct MC, Jason Ross, about the future of timber construction in North America. “Surprisingly, cross-laminated timber is pretty blast resistant,” Mr Naranjo said, with both departments wanting to deploy technologies that make buildings more blast resistant. “Blast testing will be a game-changer, not just for the military but for construction more generally.” In November, the US Army Corps of Engineers has now mandated a policy that requires a “mass timber structural option be considered at the design phase in all of its vertical construction projects going forward.” In effect, it means that the US Army will become the first military organisation in the world to embrace mass timber in both on-site installations and civilian housing projects. Published last year, it requires “all US Army MILCON and Civil Works vertical construction projects to consider at least one option where mass timber is a substantial structural component when comparing structural systems during early design.” For Mr Naranjo, who will be travelling to Australia next month from Washington, DC, to attend TimberConstruct in person, mass timber construction systems have several advantages that make them ideal building materials for the next generation of buildings not only across America’s largest cities but also in urban, regional, and rural areas. “It creates a safer and quieter construction site,” Mr Naranjo said, “you bring a truck in, put the pieces in place, and the truck goes away. Most projects can shave two or more months off construction and occupy the building sooner.” “I hope it can solve the housing crisis,” he said, “here in the US, young people are not going into the trades anymore, and as more and more people are moving to urban areas, there are not a lot of trades away from the metropolitan cities.” “We have a lot of partners that are now banking on prefabricating parts and bringing them in “flat-pack” to solve housing in rural areas.” Mr Naranjo will fly from Washington, DC, to Melbourne, Australia, next month to present at TimberConstruct, Australia’s largest timber construction conference. There, he will participate in a panel discussion chaired by Andrew Dunn, the conference organiser. “I’m looking forward to it; I’ve never travelled below the equator before,” Mr Naranjo said. “I’m looking forward to the cross-pollination in learning that I will during my time in Melbourne, Australia,” he said. According to Mr Dunn, “Kevin Naranjo will join Boris Iskra, Codes and Standards Manager for the FWPA, George Konstadakos, the Development General Manager FOR Sumitomo Forestry Australia – who is now behind Australia’s largest timber-based build-to-rent scheme, and Russell Kilmartin, one of Australia’s top fire engineers.” Part of the conference’s final session “is probably the most important of all,” Mr Dunn said. “We will investigate the code changes adopted in Canada and the USA for fire design standards in buildings up to 18 storeys high.”

Canada’s Competition Bureau has published guidance on what might constitute corporate greenwashing as it begins consultations over how it will implement Ottawa’s contentious new measures aimed at preventing false and misleading environmental claims. Source: Business intelligence for BC (Can) The bureau said goals and timelines for achieving environmental objectives such as reducing carbon emissions must be supported by clear and specific plans, and not just be aspirational. It also warned companies against trying to shield their green assertions with disclaimers. The agency issued the commentary on Monday as it launched a request for feedback to help it formulate plans for implementing the new measures, which some companies, industry associations and provincial governments have criticized for being vague and heavy-handed. The consultation period runs to 27 September. Bill C-59 contains the controversial amendment to the Competition Act that puts companies at legal risk for making environmental assertions that do not stand up to scrutiny. The legislation received royal assent on 20 June. Under the legislation, corporate communications must be backed up by as-yet undefined international standards. Individuals and companies could face sizable fines if found liable. In response, several oil and gas companies and industry associations added disclaimers to their websites and social-media feeds or deleted content altogether, citing legal uncertainty. Alberta has been vocal in its opposition, calling the anti-greenwashing provision a “gag order.” The province’s Environment Minister Rebecca Schulz has said she intends to make a submission to the bureau. The federal agency does not have the authority to make changes to the policy itself as part of the process; only government has that power, said Competition Bureau spokesperson Marianne Blondin. “This consultation will inform what further guidance may be offered about environmental claims,” she said in an e-mail. The bureau should have been better prepared for implementation, after it made a submission to a House of Commons committee on finance earlier this year pushing for a stricter policy, said Peter Flynn, a competition specialist at the law firm Stikeman Elliott LLP. However, seeking input to help put the policy into effect is the next best option, Mr. Flynn said. To help avoid more confusion, the bureau should make clear that when ruling on the veracity of claims, it would set a high bar to substitute its own judgment for that of companies that are already relying on internationally recognized standards. On Monday, the bureau published some examples of corporate greenwashing, as well as complaints it has received. It said companies that set aggressive goals and timelines for cutting emissions and achieving carbon neutrality should be commended. But there are risks that such forecasts could become greenwashing, so companies must ensure they have concrete plans to achieve them. Even with clear strategies in place, companies must take care not to be misleading, the bureau said. For instance, a company should avoid creating the impression that it will abandon the use of fossil fuels to slash emissions, while maintaining consumption and buying carbon credits, it said. It also warned against believing that publishing disclaimers will protect against complaints. If a company’s claim creates a false or misleading impression of environmental benefits before any reference to a disclaimer, the “fine print may not help,” it said. The bureau said complaints often zero in on assertions that future investments and strategies will allow companies to reach environmental goals, when they lack credible plans. “Such claims often draw attention to environmental projects or other investments that are environmentally positive. But complainants allege that the projects or investments are token in nature, or pale in comparison to operations of the business that are not consistent with claimed objectives,” the bureau said. Mr Flynn said the legislation is not aimed at stopping companies from communicating their environmental plans, but it is pushing them to be specific. “For companies that are trying to get that green halo around them without actually doing the work, that’s the type of activity that’s going to draw, in our expectation, scrutiny or enforcement action from the bureau, and down the road, open them up potentially to private actions by individuals or groups,” he said. The bureau will lead the process until June 2025, when private parties will be able to go directly to the Competition Tribunal, which will rule on whether proceedings will be in the public interest. This story has been updated to clarify Peter Flynn’s views on how the Competition Bureau should take into account internationally recognized standards.  

Xu Fang, Director of the American Softwoods’ China Office Softwood Export Council, is the latest confirmed speaker for TimberConstruct, Australia’s largest timber construction conference and exhibition, to be held in Melbourne on 12-13. Sources: TimberConstruct, Timberbiz More than one-third of the speakers are international, flying to Melbourne or Zooming from the USA, Canada, China, Finland, and Japan. “So far this year, we have nine international speakers locked in,” according to Andrew Dunn, TimberConstruct’s conference organiser. “The bumper turnout is a record for Timber Construct.” Ms Fang will join Nick Milestone (from Mercer USA) and Yuichi Shinohara, from Shinohara Shoten Co Ltd (from Japan), to discuss Australasia and the Pacific Visionary Timber Projects. As glulam capacity improves, China, the world’s most important forest economy is now a global engine room for softwood connected to 30% of the world’s trade in forest products through its Belt and Road Initiative. “China is experiencing a Timber revolution thanks to a rapid rise in the construction of timber buildings,” Mr Dunn said, “as demand for housing and infrastructure skyrocketed, domestic timber production and imports have surged to meet the need for wood-based. “That’s why we are thrilled to have Xu Fang join us to discuss how China’s rapid rise as a timber economy.” Large-scale timber plantations and wood processing industries were established to supply the booming timber-building sector, transforming China into a global powerhouse for timber construction. TimberConstruct has more than 35 presenters locked in for the two-day conference and has a strong focus on materials and design, prefabrication, and building techniques. For more information on TimberConstruct visit: https://timberconstruct.org/

More than 2000 Tasmanian students are set to immerse themselves in the wonders of Tasmanian forests through a unique educational initiative. Source: Timberbiz Schools Tree Day is an opportunity for schools across Tasmania to engage in forest education alongside Sustainable Timber Tasmania and the Forest Education Foundation. Minister for Business, Industry and Resources, Eric Abetz, said the yearly event encouraged students to get outside, learn new things and most importantly, have fun. “It was fantastic to spend Thursday morning engaging with Bothwell District High School students and teachers as they planted trees and deepened their understanding of forest ecosystems,” Minister Abetz said. “The Tasmanian Liberal Government is the biggest supporter of our State’s sustainably managed forests, and it’s pleasing to be able to share knowledge with students about this in a fun and informative way. “There is so much to explore about Tasmania’s rich forest industry, and we know that well-managed working forests will create jobs and opportunities for Tasmanians today, and for generations to come.” This year around 3,500 native seedlings, grown at Sustainable Timber Tasmania’s Perth Nursery, will be gifted to more than 60 schools and 2000 students statewide. Many schools will host planting events throughout July and August, facilitated by Sustainable Timber Tasmania foresters alongside enthusiastic students and educators. Schools Tree Day is part of National Tree Day and gives Tasmanian students and teachers the opportunity to plant trees and learn about the forest while having fun. Under our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future, we’re keeping our economy strong to create the jobs Tasmanians need to ensure that our great State remains the best place to live, work and raise a family. Tasmania’s forestry sector is worth about $1.2 billion annually to the State’s economy which provides a livelihood to more than 5,000 Tasmanians, many living in our regional towns, and the Tasmanian Liberal Government has a goal to grow that even further.  

Short rotation forestry could provide a pathway for New Zealand to replace 6% of its fossil fuel use, while also providing farmers in difficult country a valued biofuel crop option. Source: Farmers Weekly (NZ) The latest work by Scion silviculture scientist Dr Alan Jones and his team estimates the reduction in fossil fuel use could be achieved with plantings over about 150,000 hectares of land, or less than 1% of New Zealand’s land area. Jones presented his team’s research findings to a Bioenergy NZ seminar series aimed at exploring NZ’s options on alternative energy pathways to help meet its Paris Accord obligations. He acknowledged short rotation forestry, which usually involves planting pines or eucalyptus, was an area that has been neglected for the past decade, after some intense interest prior to an international conference here in 2010. Typically, the trees would be harvested at year 16, with Pinus radiata and three types of eucalyptus being most suitable. The eucalypt variety was dependent upon the site’s altitude and average temperature. The researchers modelled the potential area needed based on valuations that ranged from placing a zero price on carbon through to NZ$150 per tonne of carbon. “We aimed to target land area that is ‘least cost’ or lowest value, particularly around Land Use Capability (LUC) 5-7.” High risk “red zone” erodible country has been excluded, along with Department of Conservation land, existing forest and high value arable land. When it comes to eucalyptus use, Jones acknowledged there is a North Island bias for the species, with a smaller economically viable area. At zero carbon payment that is about 90,000ha. “As the ETS carbon value increases, the potentially economic viable area increases.” The most suitable areas for short rotation plantation proved to be Northland, Central North Island, Hawke’s Bay, the east coast, Canterbury and Southland-Otago, based on distance and location relative to areas with higher energy demand. Jones said transport costs are an acknowledged challenge with biofuel sourcing, but decentralised processing of the raw material could also impact an otherwise unsuitable area’s viability. Biofuel plantations are reliant on investor confidence, and this could be boosted by the plantations still being capable of being pruned after year 10 and utilised in other applications including furniture making. Preliminary analysis indicates that when used, every one tonne of biofuel displaces 1.3t of emissions from coal. “It is effectively greater than that of carbon forestry, providing a fuel source carbon forestry does not.” The mechanics of planting short rotation forestry involve high densities at about 750-1250 stems a hectare with no pruning carried out. The type of tree required for biofuel is also placing quite different demands on tree geneticists and scientists, more acquainted with developing trees for high quality timber growth. “Instead, we are trying to increase the energy density of these trees.” The short rotation forests are expected to yield about 20-30t a hectare of biomass. A recent Farmers Weekly visit to Brazil highlighted how the FS Ethanol company is using a combination of harvested bamboo and eucalyptus to fuel its corn ethanol plants in the western state of Mato Grosso. That state faces an impending shortage of planted, sustainable forest fuel source by 2026 as corn ethanol production rockets. With all-bamboo fuel use, the company would be harvesting 25ha a day as biofuel. The next step for researchers here is to get more trees in the ground to trial and analyse. A partnership with the Ministry for Primary Industries for trials has been established. Environment Canterbury has also expressed an interest in trial plots and outcomes. Jones said NZ is in the lucky position of being able to grow such trees relatively quickly, compared to its European counterparts. “It means we would be in a position to replace that fossil fuel carbon very quickly.” Brian Cox, executive officer of Bioenergy NZ, said short rotation forestry also provides a way to fill a gap in wood supply that would emerge from about 2030. NZ’s total wood production is expected to slide from 40 million cubic metres to 25 million cubic metres by 2038. “These species also fit to a market driver that wants biomass in less than 25-30 years. It’s also a neglected opportunity for trees to provide erosion control. Short rotation crops are a key part of that.” Scion has published a handbook for the industry on short rotation forestry.

Perth’s leafy western suburbs are bearing the brunt of an exotic pest that is threatening the future of the city’s already dismal urban tree canopy. Source: WA Today Data obtained by this masthead shows inner-city councils have logged the highest number of premises infected with polyphagous shot-hole borer with Nedlands leading the pack with 345 cases followed by Melville (145) and Claremont (105). Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development deputy director-general Mia Carbon said the $44 million response to the south-east Asian beetle was the single biggest biosecurity response undertaken in the department’s history. The pest kills trees via boring holds in trees, in which it plants a fungus that it farms for food – but which stops trees transferring nutrients, slowly killing them. More than 1200 infected premises are confirmed to have the pest that has yet to spread past the metropolitan area. An infected premise is an individual site which may have more than one tree confirmed as positive. “To date more than 3000 trees have been removed from across the metropolitan area to curb the spread of the pest and more than 850 trees have been pruned,” she said. “The department understands the significant value of trees to the community…DPIRD is ensuring everything is being done to contain the spread across the Perth metropolitan area.” But Opposition leader Libby Mettam said the epidemic could change the face of Perth forever and the state government needed to act more urgently to help local governments fight the pest “It is an agricultural disaster in waiting,” she said. “The Cook Labor government should have gone hard and should have gone early, but they have failed to effectively ensure that this epidemic is eradicated.” Perth Lord Mayor and Liberal candidate for Churchlands Basil Zempilas said the biosecurity emergency was the equivalent of “COVID for trees”. “To this point, the state government has dealt with it like it’s a cold, and only now, three years later, are popping off to the chemist to get some Codral,” he said. Zempilas said in the City of Perth alone the beetle could wipe out 60% of its 16,000 trees. City of Canning deputy mayor and Liberal candidate for Riverton Amanda Spencer-Teo said trees earmarked for removal months ago had yet to be chopped down prompting some councils to take matters into their own hands and hire arborists. But she warned the time would come when councils could no longer afford to fund the removal of affected trees. “DPIRD are doing a fantastic job with what little resources and funding they have, but they simply don’t have the resources to remove the trees fast enough and it seems to be their efforts are focused on detection, not removal,” she said. “It’s not a case of if this gets down to the south-west, but it’s a case of when and it will be an absolute agricultural nightmare.” Spencer-Teo said the pest was spreading at a “remarkable rate” as people transferred cuttings and soil to the south-west and the Hills, which were not currently in the quarantine zone. DPIRD confirmed the biggest threat to the spread of the pest was people transporting contaminated material outside of the quarantine area that covers 25 metropolitan councils. It said it was working closely with nurseries and growers, including Bunnings which had traps in some stores to monitor for borers. To date, no detections of the borer have been made in nursery stock. Mayor’s say the state government’s $3 million honey pot for 30 metropolitan councils to dip into to boost their tree canopy would not fund those lost due to shot-hole borer. Agriculture Minister Jackie Jarvis said 1.8 million trees have been inspected on more than 60,000 properties. In response to claims the government hadn’t acted swiftly enough and local governments were carrying the financial burden of the biosecurity issue, Jarvis said she understood that local governments were nervous. “But I will make the point we’re in the middle of an emergency. We don’t yet know how many trees will have to be removed. “It’s a bit like talking about what it’s going to cost to rebuild your house while bushfire is still raging.” Jarvis said the $44m eradication fund would not replace lost trees. WALGA launched a campaign calling for a fighting fund to help councils pay for the removal and replacement of infected trees. A tree canopy symposium will be held on August 2 at the South Perth Bowling Club. Environmental lawyer Bronwyn Waugh said little appeared to have been done other than imposing quarantine restrictions and removing trees. “This clearly is not working. We must put funds into studying this disease.”

Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins has appointed Tony Allison and Murray Sherwin CNZM to the board of Crown Research Institute Scion, effective July 1. They joined existing Board members and newly appointed Board Chair Richard Westlake for their first official meeting together in Rotorua on 25 July. Source: Timberbiz Mr Westlake says the latest appointments strengthen the governance and strategic direction of Scion. “Both individuals bring extensive experience and a wealth of business knowledge to the organisation. I look forward to working closely with them as we guide Scion through a period of change with the Science System Review underway. “What’s not changing is the value that our scientists continue to add to forestry, advanced manufacturing and industrial biotechnology sectors that drive economic growth for New Zealand, especially in the regions. Ensuring Scion’s people continue to deliver research that has a positive impact on the forestry sector and other partners remains a key focus for our board.” Tony Allison joins the Board with a career spanning various executive and governance roles. He is currently Managing Director and owner of Smiths City Finance. Previous roles include Chair of Otago Polytechnic where he successfully established the transition board and contributed positively to the creation of Te Pukenga. He has held other significant governance roles at Delta Utility Services, Dunedin International Airport, Mornington Health Centre, Night ‘n Day Foodstores and City Forests Limited. Tony is also a Chartered Accountant and a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors. Murray Sherwin CNZM is an economist with over four decades of experience in public policy and various leadership roles across national and international organisations. His professional history includes appointments with the OECD, the Prime Minister’s Policy Advisory Group, membership of the World Bank Board of Executive Directors, Deputy Governor and Deputy Chair of the Board of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, Director General and chief executive of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Chair of the New Zealand Productivity Commission and Chair of the Innovation Partnership, a Google-initiated collaboration which explored opportunities for smart application of internet technology in New Zealand. He was also a member of the Thought Leaders Group supporting Te Puna Whakaaronui – a Ministry for Primary Industries’ (MPI) policy group exploring emerging technologies and their potential impact and opportunities for our food and fibre industries. Mr Sherwin’s current roles include Chair of the Plant Germplasm Import Council (a collaboration between MPI’s Biosecurity New Zealand group and the industries engaged in imports of plant germplasm), member of the Advisory Board of Iron Duke Partners and Trustee of the Reserve Bank Staff Superannuation Scheme. Scion chief executive Dr Julian Elder expressed his enthusiasm for the new appointments. “We are delighted to welcome Tony Allison and Murray Sherwin to the Board. Their proven track records in governance and leadership will be invaluable as we continue to drive innovation and excellence in our research and development activities. Tony’s hands-on experience in business transitions and Murray’s deep understanding of public policy and economic development will provide us with diverse perspectives and strategic insights,” he said. Dr Elder also took the opportunity to acknowledge and thank outgoing directors Greg Mann and Dr Jon Ryder, as well as former Board Chair Dr Helen Anderson, for their contributions after their terms ended on June 30. “Each one has played a crucial role in guiding Scion through a period of growth and transformation. We are grateful for the strong foundation they have helped build for our future endeavours,” Dr Elder said. The latest appointments mean Scion’s board is made of Richard Westlake, Stana Pezic, Brendon Green (Ngāti Hikairo, Ngāpuhi), Nicole Anderson (Ngāpuhi, Te Roroa, Te Aupōuri), Phil Taylor and Kiriwaitingi Rei-Russell (Te Arawa – Ngati Whakaue, Tūhourangi Ngati Wāhiao, and Ngati Awa – Te Pahipoto), Murray Sherwin, Tony Allison, and Future Director Zara Morrison (Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Tūwharetoa).

Last month, 15 timber harvesting operations were suspended by the NSW timber industry controller Forestry Corporation. The Environment Protection Authority changed the habitat protection rules for the endangered greater gliders, making timber harvesting illegal. Environmental activists have deployed a Victorian-style lawfare in an effort to shut down native timber production. But no amount of marsupial propaganda masks the human toll inflicted by the government’s betrayal. Despite the NSW timber industry having more teeth than its Victorian counterparts and some sharp operators like ex-Labor Minister Joel Fitzgibbon, there is limited political interest in the arguments for sustainable management, homes, and sovereign capacity. Activist environmentalists are cunning; having crippled the Victorian timber industry, they have worked out a successful model and are now replicating it in NSW. They take legal action against government bodies that trigger ‘stop work’ orders. This forces businesses to suffer death by attrition – court actions take years to resolve, and even if they are successful, few businesses are left, and fewer financial institutions are willing to back them. Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty barely rated a whimper when responding to the crisis, stating that her government was ‘committed to delivering the right balance between protecting the environment and sustaining our state forests’. As to what that means, who knows? The Australian Forestry Products Association CEO James Jooste called for an intervention into dispute resolution three months ago, likely knowing full well the impact of the strategy. ‘We need a better resolution-dispute mechanism so we’re not spending six months out of our forests where we have no environmental outcomes and no productive outcomes,’ he said. This fell on deaf ears, with neither the Minister for Agriculture, Tara Moriarty, nor the Minister for Natural Resources, Courtney Houssos, offering a solution. A surprising betrayal considering Minister Houssos’ commitment prior to the NSW election, where she promised: ‘No net job losses and an independent skills audit to guide investment and incentives and encourage new economic opportunities in the forestry industry.’ The truth is Labor cannot be trusted on forestry. The party has been overrun by inner-city greens, while the political hard-heads of old Labor are too weak to stand up for their traditional base. This should not be the story for native forestry. The government should ensure that environmental activists cannot abuse the court process. If regulations need to change, then do so in a consultative manner over a period of time. Anything less is a calculated betrayal. If Labor wants to close the book on native forestry, they should do so with an industry transition over decades, not weeks. Chile and Uruguay fought deforestation by investing in hardwood plantations; today, they have a thriving industry exporting Australian timber species, Eucalyptus Grandis, to the world. The question NSW Labor should be asking is, why can’t we? Political parties on the centre-left have become unreliable for industry, because the unions which founded them are no longer run by workers. And as a result, Green morality has defined many industries as immoral and destructive. Blaming environmental activists for the final nail in the industry’s coffin is easy, but frankly, the timber industry helped build the box. Over the past decade, industry groups and unions ignored the signposts. Emotive and targeted messaging changed public opinion against the forestry industry, such that ultimately, dead koalas became more powerful than thousands of jobs and millions of homes. If the industry wants to survive in Queensland, South Australia, and Tasmania, it must make an ongoing effort to change its reputation. This requires sharp and consistent communication to make the case for the importance of timber products to our economy, a demonstration of genuine outcome-driven conservation, and a long-term plan for industry transition. Several industry organisations are already seeing the light on this, but without the long-term bipartisan backing of government, it may all be too little too late. Marcus Bastiaan is a director at Specialty Doors   Source: Forestry Corporation has suspended 15 harvesting operations https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/8654876/timber-industry-bleeding-cash-as-shutdown-bites/ “committed to delivering the right balance between protecting the environment and sustaining our state forests”. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-02/nsw-logging-industry-timber-worker-says-facing-bankruptcy/103581908 “We need a better resolution-dispute mechanism so we’re not spending six months out of our forests where we have no environmental outcomes and no productive outcomes,” https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-02/nsw-logging-industry-timber-worker-says-facing-bankruptcy/103581908 “That includes a commitment to no net job losses and an independent skills audit to guide investment and incentives and encourage new economic opportunities in the forestry industry,” https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/feb/13/nsw-forests-face-uncertain-future-as-desperation-builds-over-major-parties-inaction-over-logging  

Australia’s world leading sustainable forestry practices, and an expanded innovation agenda will only become more important locally and globally as a new United Nations (UN) report highlights the need for innovative solutions on the world forest front, according to Australian Forest Products Association CEO Diana Hallam. Source: Timberbiz The State of the World’s Forests 2024: Forest-sector innovations towards a more sustainable future (SOFO 2024) was launched at the 27th Committee on Forestry (COFO) at the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO’s) headquarters in Rome this week – emphasising the role of innovation to achieve a sustainable future for global forestry. “We can be proud in Australia that we are already a world leader in production forest management and downstream innovation,” Ms Hallam said. “Our plantations and native forests are managed to the highest environmental standards. We are a model for global best practice, and we are moving strides ahead on the technological innovation front across the forestry supply chain, especially through the inception of Australian Forest and Wood Innovations (AFWI).” The SOFO 2024 report states that ‘although global deforestation is slowing, forests are under pressure from climate-related stressors and forest products demand is rising.’ Global wood production is at record levels at 4 billion cubic metres per year with roundwood demand projected to increase up to nearly 50 per cent by 2050. It also states that ‘innovation is required to scale up forest conservation, restoration and sustainable use as solutions to global challenges.’ “These pressures on global forests highlight the need for more sustainable forestry and more innovation,” Ms Hallam said. “In Australia we are a global leader on sustainability, and we innovate right across the supply chain, from the best environmental forest management and harvest practices, like replanting and regeneration, to advanced thinning, including using Indigenous practices. In the manufacturing stages we are rapidly innovating through the development of mass engineered timber products and increasing recycling of fibre.” In order to manage required innovation, the SOFO report also states the need to ‘boost skills, capabilities and knowledge to ensure that forest-sector stakeholders have the capacity to manage innovation, creation and adoption.’ “This emphasises the need for quality forestry education and underpins the value of our vocational and tertiary forestry skills providers in Australia,” Ms Hallam said. “SOFO also highlights that Australia is second globally for net gain in forest area between 2010 and 2020 adding an additional 4.4 million hectares, second only to China in area increased. In a world where deforestation continues to be a problem, this is a significant achievement. “Australia can help lead much of the rest of the world on forestry best practice and innovation. AFPA will continue working with the Government to cement our higher quality outcomes for the environment and industry, for the national and global population we serve,” she said.