Region Archives: International

The European Space Agency (ESA) is set to launch its Biomass mission in 2025, providing more accurate measurements of forest biomass to enhance our understanding of the carbon cycle. We spoke to Biomass Project Manager, Michael Fehringer, to learn more. As a major carbon sink, forests play a crucial role in the carbon cycle and climate system. However, due to factors such as forest degradation and deforestation, much of this otherwise stored carbon is being released back into the atmosphere, causing a detrimental impact on the environment. To understand the rapid changes that forests are undergoing, and therefore tackle the implications this has for our climate, quantifying the global carbon cycle is vital. However, current measurements of forest biomass are poor in many parts of the world. …Editor Georgie Purcell spoke to ESA’s Biomass Project Manager, Michael Fehringer, to find out how the mission will clear up questions surrounding forest biomass and the carbon cycle.

Almost half a million trees are being planted in England this winter in a partnership between the National Trust and a UK-government funded project, creating woodlands, wood pasture, hedgerows and orchards. Some of the schemes are relatively modest, such as orchards planted with heritage varieties of fruit and nut trees, while others are much grander, thousands of trees linking up existing patches of woodland to create nature-rich forests. One of the most eye-catching schemes is at Buckland Abbey near Plymouth in Devon, where more than 30,000 trees are being planted. Broadleaved trees such as sessile oak, elm, blackthorn, birch, rowan and wild cherry are being planted close to ancient woodlands across the estate, and the hope is that as well as benefiting insects, mammals and birds, it will improve conditions for rare lichens, liverworts and mosses to flourish.

Timbeter, AI-powered digital timber measurement solution provider, starts collaboration with Polish State Forest (PGL LP) to support the forestry operations. A project that is transforming the whole timber industry in Poland is being carried out in Regional Directorates in Piła and Poznań. Launched under General director’s order No. 92/2024 issued on July 24, 2024, by the Director General of State Forests, the initiative aims to integrate Timbeter’s digital measurement solutions into everyday forestry operations. The project’s goals include reducing the workload of foresters, simplifying timber measurement processes, and enhancing objectivity of results. This transition will also provide additional insights for stakeholders, from contractors to timber purchasers, enabling better decision-making and operational efficiency.

AUSTRALIA — A new green policy offering cash to plant more natives aims to thicken Perth’s ailing tree canopy. In a bid to turn around Perth’s tree coverage – the worst of all Australian capitals – Labor announced on Tuesday it would plant one million trees across the metropolitan region by 2035 if re-elected in March. The $16.9 million commitment includes a Western Australia-first “treebate”, allowing 10,000 households a year to receive $150 to plant native trees on their property. The “treebates” would be available to all WA residents 18 and over, redeemable via the ServiceWA app, and would help fund the purchase of native trees from WA nurseries and other retailers. …Environment Minister Reece Whitby said the “treebate” would help the state government get Perth’s canopy coverage to 30 per cent by 2040, bringing the city in line with Melbourne’s current coverage and above Adelaide’s.

AUSTRALIA — A war of words – and glossy brochures – has flared up in the scientific world over whether Western Australia’s major prescribed-burning program across the forests of its south-west is doing more harm than good. The South-West Forests Defence Foundation launched its publication Prescribed Burning Fact Sheets – August 2024 outlining scientific research arguing current prescribed burning practices in the south-west forest regions does not give effective protection from wildfires, is hazardous to people’s health and is causing irreversible loss of biodiversity. The foundation favours a rapid detection and suppression response to bushfires. …In response, the Bushfire Front advocacy group has released its own pamphlet critiquing the foundation’s “flawed” proposal, saying it’s not based on sound science and would have disastrous outcomes in the event of a major bushfire. It states… that the response-only method was trialled and failed in the early 1900s.

Global deforestation rates have declined, but forests remain under significant pressure. Rising demands for forest products and climate-related challenges have led to calls for better conservation measures. The European Union had 160 million hectares of forest in 2022, covering 39 per cent of its land, an increase of 8.3 million hectares since 2000. The largest forest areas are in Sweden, Finland, and Spain. According to the European Environment Agency (EEA), the EU’s average forest connectivity, a crucial indicator for supporting biodiversity, was 80.6 per cent in 2021, a slight decline of 0.8 per cent compared to 2018. Larger forest areas, such as those in Slovenia, Romania, Finland, and Sweden, contribute significantly to higher connectivity, while smaller fragmented forests rely on forest strips to maintain connectivity. …Initiatives such as the Nature Restoration regulation, forest and biodiversity strategies for 2030, and a pledge to plant three billion trees by 2030, aim to enhance connectivity.

Nicholas Winston Ong

The Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards (IISMA) program has served as a gateway for Nicholas Winston Ong, a student from Universitas Airlangga’s (UNAIR) Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, to expand his academic horizons. This prestigious initiative enabled him to study at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Canada. Known as Winston, he chose UBC to further his commitment to enhancing Indonesia’s natural ecosystems by specializing in forestry at one of the world’s premier institutions in the field. “I selected the University of British Columbia because I am deeply committed to advancing Indonesia’s natural ecosystems. UBC, with its globally renowned forestry research, aligns perfectly with this vision,” Winston explained. …Winston acknowledged the rigorous academic environment at UBC, noting the university’s reputation as Canada’s largest research institution. He described UBC students as highly competitive, with coursework often centered on critical reasoning and case studies.

Before the Industrial Revolution, coppicing, a method of harvesting wood on a multi-year cycle by cutting trees back to a stump, helped meet Britain’s energy needs. After the tree, usually hazel, hornbeam or oak, is cut, new shoots spring to life. …Shadow Woods, a coppice in West Sussex, England, was largely abandoned after the second world war and many of the trees are now “overstood” … shading the ground and preventing the growth of any new saplings. …Since early humans first kindled firewood until Britain’s Industrial Revolution, energy typically came from renewable sources like wind, water and the sun, not from fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas. Vertical windmills were used to grind flour in ancient Persia. Chinese water power pulped paper and hammered iron. The Romans combined their aqueducts with complexes of watermills. All of this was renewable. [A subscription to the Economist is required to access the full story]

The Forestry Agency is calling on local governments to conduct 3D forest surveys employing aircraft laser to get terrain information. Data obtained by such surveys can be used for disaster responses by analyzing terrain changes after earthquakes or heavy rain, in addition to forest and road management. The agency worked with the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan to conduct a laser survey for a terrain analysis of the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture after a powerful earthquake caused landslides in a wide swath of the area in January last year. A laser survey provides information about collapsed roads and ground fissures in places covered with woods, which are hard to observe visually. Such a survey “allows us to detect possible locations of secondary disasters and take preventive measures,” a Forestry Agency official said.

IRELAND — More young people are looking towards the forestry and wood sector as a career, according to the findings of a new Coillte commissioned survey, which revealed that 60% of respondents believed it to be an attractive option. Coillte said this growing interest aligns with the industry’s pivotal role in addressing Ireland’s climate and housing challenges while meeting the increasing demand for sustainable timber. Public sentiment also strongly supports forestry’s role in addressing these challenges: Nearly 70% of the survey respondents favoured increased timber frame housing, while 80% believed Ireland should be self-sufficient in timber production. The forestry sector is recognised as a key driver of Ireland’s climate action objectives, requiring more than 1,700 skilled professionals by 2030 to meet the ambitions of the forest strategy. Coillte released the findings at the launch of its 2025 Forestry Scholarship Programme, which offers up to €20,000 per recipient across their degree, alongside paid summer placements and career opportunities with the company.

Sarah Kutulakos

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) International is pleased to announce the appointment of Sarah Kutulakos as FSC’s first Regional Director of North America, effective 1 January 2025. This strategic appointment marks a key moment in FSC’s ongoing expansion and reinforces its mission to promote responsible forest management across the United States and Canada. Kutulakos, a seasoned executive with extensive experience in multinational business operations and strategic growth, will lead FSC’s efforts to meet the growing demand for responsibly sourced forest products in North America. Her leadership will strengthen FSC’s presence on the ground and foster deeper connections within North America and between the regions. With the appointment of Sarah Kutulakos as our Regional Director, we are establishing a dedicated presence to better support our members and partner organizations in the U.S. and Canada who have worked hard to safeguard forests and promote sustainable forestry,” said Lieske van Santen, FSC International Global Network Director.

The Government today released a request for information (RFI) to seeking interest in partnerships to plant trees on Crown-owned land with low farming and conservation value (excluding National Parks) Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced. “Planting trees on Crown-owned land will drive economic growth by creating more forestry jobs in our regions, providing more wood for domestic processing and over time, boost the value of exports,” Mr McClay says “It will also provide nature-based solutions which are a key part to our climate strategy.” Through the RFI, the Government wants to understand what would make this an attractive and viable opportunity for potential partners.

Since its founding in 1994, FSC has championed sustainable forest management, spanning economic, social and environmental aspects of sustainability. With its rigorous and trusted forest certification system, FSC is contributing to healthy and resilient forests, upholding the rights of Indigenous Peoples and forest sector workers, promoting gender equality, and safeguarding biodiversity. …As of 2024, FSC’s impact across the globe includes: 160+ million hectares of forest certified worldwide and 1,150+ members from 89 countries offering environmental, economic and social perspectives… Today, FSC’s Forest Management and Chain of Custody standards, as well as other solutions like Verified Impact stand at the forefront of global environmental stewardship, addressing the most critical planetary challenges of our time. …FSC is celebrating with valued members, allies and network partners, reflecting on three decades of collective effort and achievement, as well as reaffirming our commitment to promote sustainable forestry.

Robert Nasi

The picture painted by the 2024 Forest Declaration Assessment, albeit relying mostly on 2023 figures, is not a pretty one. As 2024 is coming to an end, here is a reflection of the year for forests. 2024 has been marked by both positive strides and persistent challenges for the world’s forests. …In the international and national agenda, the role of forests in mitigating and adapting to climate change is reaffirmed. …To address the complex challenges facing the world’s forests, a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach is necessary. International cooperation is essential to coordinate efforts, share best practices, and provide financial support to countries with significant forest resources. Strong governance and effective law enforcement are crucial to combat illegal logging and ensure sustainable forest management. …Additionally, empowering Indigenous Peoples and local communities to play a role in forest conservation is essential, as they often have deep knowledge and strong ties to the land.

The Södra Foundation for Research, Development and Education is granting a total of SEK 12.5 million to 11 different research projects. The research in the projects will pave the way for both tomorrow’s forestry and new climate-smart products, sustainable production and, eventually, jobs. “The Foundation is a key component of a larger innovation system to promote research into both forestry and the forest industry for a green transition. By investing in research, we are building the foundation for a sustainable future where forests contribute both solutions to climate change and economic growth, while ensuring that forests remain an important resource for society,” said Henric Brage, Head of Innovation at Södra… The successful projects cover the areas of forestry, wood, pulp and chemicals. They include a climate research project that uses a scientific radar monitoring station to observe forest health, with a focus on CO₂ and water dynamics in birch and pine forests.

The European Union’s deforestation-free products regulation (EUDR) won’t affect the operations of Brazil’s paper and pulp industry, which has already traced its supply chains “from farm to factory” for more than two decades and doesn’t source from illegal deforested areas, the country’s industry association says. However, the fulfillment of some specific EUDR requirements compel companies to invest in blockchain and other technologies, which could increase the cost per ton of pulp by up to $230, according to the Brazilian Tree Industry (Ibá)… The EUDR, initially planned to come into effect this month and recently postponed for another year, will require suppliers to prove that their products exported to the EU aren’t sourced from illegally deforested areas… In Brazil, experts say the EUDR will help halt illegal deforestation in the Amazon.

New South Wales’s native logging industry is not “economically viable” and the state government should consider shutting it down after 2028 if its prospects do not improve, an independent economic regulator has recommended. If that happened, it would be the third state to stop logging native forests after Victoria and Western Australia, leaving Tasmania the only state with a large native logging industry. The recommendation was made by the NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) in its triennial analysis of the government-owned logging company Forestry Corporation of NSW. It found Forestry Corporation’s native timber operation had been steadily losing money over the past decade, in part due to delivering timber to sawmills for less than the cost of providing it.

Additional coverage in The Guardian: ‘Bad deal for taxpayers’: huge losses from NSW forest logging, reports reveal

An expected increase in new forestry activity could inject more than €27m into the rural economy next year. With 560 new afforestation licences issued by the Department of Agriculture in 2024, Forest Industries Ireland (FII) has forecast an increase in forest planting in 2025. The group, which represents the forestry and timber industry group within Ibec, said that the licences represent 4,417 hectares of potential new forestry projects. In each of 2023 and 2024, about 1,650 hectares were actually planted, which FII estimated had generated around €10m in grants and premiums for those new forests in those years. …Under the current forestry programme, the grants paid to finance the planting of new forests are up to €6,744 per hectare. Farmers then receive forest premiums for 20 years of up to €1,103 per hectare.

New South Wales, Australia — NSW taxpayers footed a bill of $29 million to destroy irreplaceable native forests last year, raising the total public cost to more than $50 million in three years, as calls for a cessation in native forest logging and a transition to a full plantation-based industry grow louder. Released quietly on Friday afternoon, the 2024 Forestry Corporation Annual Report revealed the extent of the financial woes to its native forest logging operations, reporting a $29 million loss to its Hardwood Forests Division in 2023-24 as the balance sheet of its operations worsens. The commercial viability of native forest logging in NSW is falling at an alarming rate with this year’s shortfall almost double the loss of the previous year. Native forest logging was $15 million in the red in FY23, after posting a loss of $9 million in FY22. Compounding the financial performance of native forest logging, Forestry Corp’s annual report deemed its hardwood assets have no financial value.

Forestry Australia has welcomed a new study published in Australian Forestry peer-reviewed journal by the former chief research scientist at the CSIRO, Dr John Raison. The paper, titled A review of the impacts of sustainable harvesting, non-harvest management and wildfire on net carbon emissions from Australian native forests, investigates the science behind claims that timber harvesting increases greenhouse gas emissions. Dr Bill Jackson, Acting President of Forestry Australia said Australian and international studies highlight the potential to lower carbon emissions by producing and using wood products from sustainably managed forests, particularly as substitutes for high-emission building materials. …Dr Jackson said policy makers also need to consider the short, and long-term, impacts on carbon stocks of decisions to reduce or cease native forest harvesting. This includes the impacts of wildfire and reduced professional forest and fire management capacity in agencies responsible for timber production.

AUSTRALIA — James Cook University scientists will be part of a study to discover which trees will do best as carbon levels in the atmosphere increase and which won’t – so land managers know where to concentrate their efforts. JCU’s Professor Lucas Cernusak will lead the study, funded by a more than $700,000 grant from the federal government’s Australian Research Council. He said atmospheric carbon dioxide has increased by 50% globally, driven by human activity from around the year 1750 as the industrial revolution began. “While this has caused global warming and climate change, atmospheric carbon dioxide also provides the fuel for plant growth. Its rise has likely resulted in increased growth of tropical forest trees, but we don’t know which tree species benefit most,” said Professor Cernusak. He said preliminary observations suggest tropical conifer trees benefit more than angiosperms (flowering plants such as eucalyptus).

A new National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) led study has found that how rain falls in a given year is nearly as important to the world’s vegetation as how much. Reporting Dec. 11 in Nature, the researchers showed that even in years with similar rainfall totals, plants fared differently when that water came in fewer, bigger bursts.  In years with less frequent but more concentrated rainfall, plants in drier environments like the U.S. Southwest were more likely to thrive. In humid ecosystems like the Central American rainforest, vegetation tended to fare worse, possibly because it could not tolerate the longer dry spells… They found that plants across 42% of Earth’s vegetated land surface were sensitive to daily rainfall variability… Statistically, daily rainfall variability was nearly as important as annual rainfall totals in driving growth worldwide.

A new report, “Browsing Damage – What is Happening in the Forest and What Happens in the Statistics?”, published by the Swedish Forest Agency, provides new insights on the ongoing debate surrounding moose management and its impact on Sweden’s forests… The report challenges the prevailing conclusion that increasing pine tree densities is the most effective way to reduce browsing damage and suggests that moose density plays a more significant role. The study uses an extensive database and an updated calculation model and demonstrates that moose density has a greater impact on browsing damage than pine density… By comparing observations with spatially matched estimates of moose densities, the study reveals a noticeable browsing damage reduction as moose density dropped and pine density increased over the years.

WoodTECH is returning in March 2025! WoodTECH 2025 is the Australasia’s premier event for wood processing and manufacturers, and has been run by FIEA for over 25 years. The last in-person event, WoodTECH 2019, drew a record attendance. Since then, many new technologies have been installed and upgraded in mills across Australia and throughout New Zealand. Networking meeting in-person is now more important than ever, and we’ve got a great lineup of technology specialist speakers from around the world coming downunder – just for this event. Bring your team and find out where everyone is headed with improving competitiveness in sawmilling. It’s independent. It’s run by this region’s leading forestry technology events company, the Forest Industry Engineering Association (FIEA). The WoodTECH 2025 series will run in both New Zealand and Australia in March next year.

SWEDEN — Södra and Nordic Forestry Automation (NFA) have signed a letter of intent to roll out operator support for thinning carried out under Södra’s supervision. The system will also be able to collect data for each individual tree for future planning and analysis. Roll out and installations are scheduled to start in the second half of 2025. …“More innovation is needed in forestry and NFA shows clearly that new technologies can make a difference and be valuable for forest estates. A major advantage is the breadth of the innovation. It gives us thinning support, while the data collected can form the basis for future planning and decisions. This is a good example of Södra joining forces to add value for forest estates,” said Magnus Petersson at Södra.

The UK forestry and wood industry is experiencing a pivotal moment, described as a “Goldilocks moment” where conditions are “just right” to align industry aspirations with government policies, as highlighted during Confor’s annual Westminster conference. Stuart Goodall, CEO of Confor, expressed optimism about the industry’s potential to deliver on economic, environmental, and social priorities for the UK Government. … He voiced hope that the Labour Government would continue the positive trajectory established by Conservative ministers, particularly through initiatives such as the Timber in Construction Roadmap and the National Wood Strategy for England. … Mary Creagh MP, whose ministerial brief includes forestry, reiterated her commitment to expanding productive conifer planting and increasing the use of home-grown wood in construction. During her address, she praised the previous government’s efforts, noting that tree planting in England had scaled up to 4,500 hectares in 2023-24 as part of a broader UK total of just over 20,000 hectares—a generational high.

Environmentalists have released what they say are the first maps of nearly 40,000 hectares of protected Tasmanian native forests that the state government plans to open to logging in what critics have described as “political point scoring”. They suggest significant parts of the state’s north-east around the Ben Lomond national park and near the town of Scottsdale could be made available to the forestry industry if the Liberal government wins support for the changes in parliament. A smaller area of forest could be opened up in the north-west between Smithton and Wynyard. The premier, Jeremy Rockliff, announced in February that a re-elected Liberal government would allow logging in 27 areas that have been protected since a “peace deal” was struck between the timber industry, conservation groups and unions in 2012 in an effort to end the decades-long conflict known as the “Tasmanian forest wars”.