Paper Excellence announced the resumption of pulp operations at its Catalyst Crofton mill, but paper operations remain curtailed. In other Business news: two die in a helicopter crash involving forestry surveyors in Prince George; Microsoft signs a carbon capture deal for biochar; McDonald’s uses mass timber in Brazil, opens Lead Zero Carbon restaurant in Hong Kong; and Structurlam, LP, Boise and Tolko win APA Safety and Health Awards.
In Forestry/Climate news: FSC Canada launched a new standard for smaller forest holders; Arizona’s timber industry faces near collapse; Brazil declares emergency as drought hits Amazon forests; the Pacific Logging Congress features high-tech advancements; and ENGOs plan forestry protests in British Columbia and Oregon.
Finally, state-of-the-art robotic dog employed by Drax UK will enhance safety.
Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor
Richmond, BC – Paper Excellence Canada is pleased to announce the resumption of kraft pulp operations at its Catalyst Crofton mill, bringing more than 300 workers back to their jobs. While market conditions allow for the restart of our pulp operations, the curtailment of paper operations at Crofton is being extended to the end of October. “In spite of challenges posed by exceptionally low pulp and paper prices driven by global market fluctuations, we are pleased to announce that we are resuming pulp production and reinstating a portion of our workforce at our Crofton mill. While this is a positive development, we will continue to assess the ongoing viability of maintaining Kraft pulp operations at Crofton to ensure it is cost effective to operate and consistent with our overall business strategies,” said Krista Cuddy, Catalyst Crofton, Interim Director – Operations & Integration.
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Canada is pleased to announce the launch of its new Small-scale, Low-Intensity and Community Forests Standard (SLIMF + Community Forests Standard). This Standard is tailored to meet the unique needs of smallholders which may include private forest owners, community forests, Indigenous forest license holders and municipalities. It features fewer requirements and complexities compared to FSC Canada’s National Forest Stewardship Standard while still maintaining the rigorous environmental and social standards that FSC is known for. Effective from January 1, 2024, the SLIMF + Community Forests Standard reflects FSC Canada’s commitment to inclusivity, sustainability, and community engagement. “The SLIMF + Community Forests Standard represents a significant step forward in FSC Canada’s commitment to fostering sustainable forestry practices and empowering communities” says Francois Dufresne, FSC Canada President. “These forested areas play a vital role in Canada’s overall forest ecosystem. FSC is proud to have designed this new Standard in recognition of the unique needs of these groups.”
The Amazon rainforest in Brazil is facing a severe drought that may affect around 500,000 people by the end of the year, authorities said Tuesday. Many are already struggling to access essential supplies such as food and water, because the principal means of transportation in the region is waterways, and river levels are historically low. Droughts also impact fishing, a means of subsistence for many riverside communities. Amazonas state declared an environmental emergency two weeks ago in response to the prolonged drought and launched a response plan valued at $20 million. Authorities will also distribute food and water supplies as well as personal hygiene kits, the state’s civil defence agency said in a statement. Gov. Wilson Lima was in Brazil’s capital, Brasilia, on Tuesday to meet with representatives of the federal government. Lima spoke with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to discuss the drought.
Microsoft has signed a carbon capture agreement to remove CO2 by burying charcoal. Carbon Streaming Corporation last week announced it will provide Microsoft with carbon removal credits from the Waverly Biochar project in Waverly, Virginia. “We’re pleased to work with Carbon Streaming to support the development of biochar as a carbon removal approach through the Waverly Biochar project. Carbon Streaming’s capacity to provide project-level finance is an important part of scaling this industry and it ensures we can focus on procuring carbon removal from high-quality projects,” said Brian Marrs, senior director of energy and carbon, Microsoft. …Carbon Streaming said the Waverly Biochar project is expected to deliver up to 10,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide removal credits per year towards Microsoft’s carbon negative target. The Waverly project will see a biochar production facility located at a wood pellet manufacturer in Waverly, in Virginia’s Sussex County.
RICHMOND, BC – The Fair Practices Commissioner (FPC) for WorkSafeBC is now up and running. The FPC gives workers, employers and workers’ dependants the opportunity to be heard if a complaint hasn’t been resolved through a WorkSafeBC manager or the organization’s Issue Resolution Office (formerly called the Fair Practices Office). The FPC was established by the provincial government through legislation, and it has a reporting structure that enhances independence from the rest of WorkSafeBC. Fair Practices Commissioner Allan Seckel was appointed in May 2023 by WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors for a renewable three-year term. “My role is to provide an independent review for workers, employers, and workers’ dependants relating to alleged unfairness by WorkSafeBC,” said Allan Seckel, the Fair Practices Commissioner. “I’m honoured to be the first Fair Practices Commissioner for WorkSafeBC.”:format(webp)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tgam/GJ65NASP4VLYXKSGBXLGO2TYS4.jpg)
