Region Archives: International

Bonn – The European Parliament, Council of the European Union (EU), and EU Commission have agreed to a one-year delay in the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), amongst other outcomes. This decision underscores the complexity of tackling deforestation and degradation whilst ensuring regulations are both rigorous and enforceable. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) remains a staunch supporter of the EUDR’s ambition to create deforestation-free supply chains, in Europe and globally. This delay should not deter immediate action for sustainable forestry. …“Reaching this outcome has been a complex and emotional journey for the many who care about the future of our forests. It’s time to move forward and not delay action. The additional time is an opportunity to unite under a common goal: ensuring that EUDR delivers maximum impact when it comes into effect. Our forests—and communities—cannot afford complacency.” said Matteo Mascolo, FSC’s Lead, EU Affairs & Engagement.

Göttingen, Germany — The idea of trees “talking” to one another through underground fungal networks—the so-called “wood wide web”—has captured the imagination of the public. This concept …has been popularized by books and documentaries. But a new study, led by the University of Göttingen, suggests the reality might be more nuanced. The researchers found that young beech trees could transfer carbon to nearby “ectomycorrhizal” fungi … but not to other trees. These fungi form intricate underground connections with tree roots, and it has been suggested they might also connect trees to each other, allowing for mutual nutrient exchange. However, this latest research raises questions that sharing. “It is hard to imagine that ectomycorrhizal fungi would altruistically transfer carbon from one tree to another. However, there are likely to be advantages for the fungi if can access multiple carbon sources,” said Dr. Michela Audisio, at Göttingen University’s Department of Forest Botany and Tree Physiology. 

HOBART, Tasmania — In news that surprises no-one, a coalition of formerly ‘moderate’ green groups have renounced their apparent prior support for native forestry. Under the Labor-Green Tasmanian Forest Agreement, signatories such as the Wilderness Society  agreed to “an ongoing, vibrant forestry industry in Tasmania based on native forests”. …”Time and again, support has been pledged by Green activists for this industry or that, only to later be withdrawn for any number of reasons,” Minister Abetz said. …”Recent attempts by the Greens to force Federal Labor to drop the existing accreditation for Regional Forest Agreements in exchange for their support of Labor legislation in the Senate should send a chill down the spine of all forestry workers. “It is clear that the Federal Labor Government is pandering to the Greens in a bid to win seats on the mainland. …”We make no apologies for backing the State’s sustainable and job-rich timber industry.

Related coverage on ABC Radio: Tasmanian Forest Agreement ‘no longer relevant in 2024’, says Wilderness Society

The UK government is dispatching trained hounds to find forest-harming pests. A dog has been used for the first time in the UK to successfully identify tree disease. Researchers from Forest Research used a trained spanador – a cocker spaniel labrador cross – to find the tree pathogen Phytophthora ramorum. Six-year-old Ivor the dog achieved a 89% successful first-time detection rate of the pest. This is an important finding as the disease (also known as Sudden Oak Death) is a menace to UK forests; spread by rain, the fungal-like organism causes the death of a wide range of trees and shrubs and has led to thousands of hectares of felling around the UK. Dr Heather Dun, a pathologist at Forest Research, said: “The results from the trials have been incredibly encouraging, with a first-time 89% detection rate highlighting the huge potential of dogs in our fight against pests and diseases.”

Forestry in Scotland is a story of balance – between the economic benefits of commercial timber production and the critical need to protect biodiversity and the natural environment.  With forests covering nearly 19% of Scotland’s land area and plans to expand this further, it’s clear forestry is central to Scotland’s future.  However, we must find that balance –by adopting strategies that not only ensure future commercial timber production but also safeguard Scotland’s precious natural habitats and biodiversity. Scotland’s forestry sector is crucial to the rural economy, contributing over £1.1 billion annually and supporting more than 34,000 jobs. At the heart of this success is commercial timber production, which supplies essential materials for industries like construction, agriculture (predominantly fencing), logistics (pallets) and packaging.

A new Tree Planting Taskforce has been launched today to oversee the planting of millions of trees across the United Kingdom. The Taskforce, chaired by the forestry ministers from the four nations, brought together representatives from key arm’s-length bodies and delivery partners from across the UK. Top of the agenda at the meeting was how to drive forward the UK’s tree planting in order to meet our collective net zero targets, as part of the Government’s critical mission to make the UK a clean and green energy superpower.   The UK has less tree cover than almost anywhere in Europe and more work is needed to close this gap…he announcement today comes after a commitment in the Budget to provide up to £400 million in England across the next two years (2024/5 and 2025/6) for tree planting and peatland restoration.

Several states in Brazil are trying to rid themselves of rainforest protections, bowing to pressure from cattle ranchers and soybean growers to cut down trees and expand agriculture. Their efforts run counter to those of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who returned to power last year and has made significant strides in curbing Amazon deforestation. They also threaten Brazil’s commitment to halt deforestation by 2030. Loss of forest is the country’s largest source of carbon emissions… Brazil is the world’s fifth-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, with almost 3% of global emissions, according to Climate Watch. Almost half of Brazil’s carbon emissions come from deforestation. The Amazon is a vital climate regulator, contains the most biodiverse forest in the world plus one-fifth of the world´s freshwater.

Claudia Sheinbaum

MEXICO CITY — Officials in Mexico said they’re considering allocating 1% of the military budget for a countrywide tree planting program, with the aim of restoring forests and combatting climate change. President Claudia Sheinbaum proposed dedicating $24 billion of the military’s annual budget to support six million tree planters in the reforestation of around 15 million hectares (37 million acres) across Mexico. The initiative isn’t official yet and doesn’t have a confirmed start date. …Sheinbaum is a former environmental scientist who co-authored the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report that won the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. She took office in October. …Sheinbaum’s reforestation proposal comes at the same time that lawmakers prepare to slash environmental funding in other parts of Mexico’s government. …Reforestation is slow, and trees require long-term care, they said. In some parts of the world, around half of all reforested trees die within the first ten years of being planted.

Coulson Aviation has secured a pivotal contract with Chile’s National Forest Corporation (CONAF). The new agreement significantly enhances the specialist operator’s presence in South America’s aerial firefighting landscape. The agreement, forged through a strategic partnership with BRYSA, represents a comprehensive commitment to wildfire management and forest protection. The contract brings together an impressive array of specialized aircraft, including the Boeing 737 FireLiner, C-130 Hercules, and Citation Air Attack platforms. These cutting-edge assets demonstrate Coulson’s technological prowess and commitment to innovative firefighting solutions. Britton Coulson, President and COO of Coulson Aviation, highlighted the significance of the partnership. “Our collaboration with CONAF goes beyond a typical service contract. We are bringing world-class aerial firefighting capabilities to Chile, leveraging our extensive experience and state-of-the-art technology to protect critical forest ecosystems and communities.”