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FPAC, ICFPA mark International Day of Forests on Mar. 21

The Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) and the International Council of Forest and Paper Associations (ICFPA) have released a statement marking the United Nations’ International Day of Forests on Mar. 21.

The associations say they applaud this year’s theme promoting “Forest Restoration as a Path to Recovery and Well-Being.”

“Global events over the last year have shifted social, environmental and economic priorities in a permanent way,” says Derek Nighbor, president and CEO of FPAC, and president of the ICFPA.

“We know that sustainable forest management, renewable forest products and committed forest sector workers are uniquely suited to help drive a climate smart economic recovery, striving toward a net-zero future.

“FPAC and ICFPA are pleased that the United Nations (UN) recognizes the vital role that the forest sector can play in driving a recovery that provides essential products and family-supporting jobs, sustains local communities and implements powerful environmental solutions.”

Wood-based products such as timber and paper are rapidly gaining a reputation for being the “ultimate renewable.” Not only are these products made from trees that are sustainably grown, harvested and replenished, they also store carbon for the length of the lives.

Further to this, wood is increasingly being used for its cellulose, lignin and sugars in pharmaceutical, textiles and biochemicals, in helping the world find renewable and low-carbon alternatives, the associations say.

“As we mark International Day of Forests, it is worth noting that the global forest sector is well-positioned to drive the global push to embrace a net-zero carbon economy by 2050 given its ability to remove carbon, store it in wood-based products, green our operations, transition other sectors away from fossil-fuel derived energy and reduce land-based emissions through climate-smart forestry,” says Dr. Lyndall Bull, forestry officer with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.