Region Archives: International

Meredith Stanton has an undeniable love for the forests within her local community. …The long-time conservationist has resided next to Clouds Creek State Forest on the NSW Mid North Coast for more than 40 years. While logging in Clouds Creek was suspended early last year, Ms Stanton has watched operations continue in nearby forests such as Sheas Nob State Forest. Clouds Creek and Sheas Nob are among multiple state forests in the region earmarked for the Great Koala National Park. … However, ecologists have expressed frustration over the slow progress and the continuation of logging by Forestry Corporation. …Forestry Corporation rejected the findings that there had been accelerated logging. “There has been no increase in timber harvesting in the area subject to assessment for the park,” a spokesperson said.

Sweden and Finland are not doing enough to protect their primary and old-growth forests, falling short of EU commitments, the World Wildlife Fund said in a report. “Thousands of hectares of forests with high conservation value are logged each year, despite their importance for climate stability, biodiversity, and long-term ecological health,” said the WWF. …Private forest owners insist they are complying with current legislation and that their felling of trees is sensible. “Nobody cuts down trees just for the fun of it,” Magnus Kindbom, forestry director at the Federation of Swedish Farmers said. “It’s because there’s a need in society. “And if we didn’t use wood products, which have no negative impact on the climate, then we would have to use more fossil fuels,” he added. “That’s the dilemma we face: how to find the best compromise between having access to more biomass and understanding its impact on biodiversity.”

Indonesia aims to limit emissions growth to 23% by 2035 from 2019 levels through conserving forests and peatlands to mitigate pollution, according to a top official. The nation expects its total greenhouse gas emissions will reach between about 1.3 billion and 1.4 billion tons a year in a decade, Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq said in an interview this week, affirming draft targets released in August. Indonesia will submit its goals to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change by mid-February, he said. The plan has attracted criticism for its heavy reliance on forests as potential carbon sinks and its limited ambition to cut emissions in polluting industries in the near term. Large ecosystems can absorb more carbon dioxide than they release but Indonesia’s forests have historically been a net carbon source due to deforestation, emitting more than 300 million tons a year on average between 2001 and 2023, according to Global Forest Watch. 

Nearly half of the global boreal forests — spanning Canada, Alaska and Siberia — are undergoing major transitions due to climate change, making them increasingly vulnerable to forest fires and altering their role as a key carbon sink, a new study has revealed.  These forests are vast and found in the cold, northern regions. However, they are warming four times faster than the global average and are expected to shift into a new ecological regime. This transformation could impact global climate regulation by triggering biome shifts and changes in tree cover dynamics, according to the study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS)… It suggested that the boreal biome shifting to an open state indicates that its current distribution is unstable and temporary.

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.