The Global Cement and Concrete Association says it seeks ‘fair comparison’ with timber. In related news: a new study says only 1 in 8 see sustainability as their product-choice driver. Companies making news include: Western Forest Products (community donations); Fort St. James Green Energy (lawsuit); Aspen Planers (curtailment); Port Townsend Paper and Westrock Tacoma (air quality fines); Boise Cascade (expansions); International Paper (forest certifications); and Stora Enso and Mondi (divestments).
In Forestry/Climate news: Canada funds spruce budworm research; forest carbon credits sought for Alaska; native biomass is no longer carbon neutral in Australia; and the latest from COP15 courtesy of Canada, the United States and Ukraine.
Finally, timber experts Fast + Epp won two structural engineering awards in 2022.
Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor
MONTREAL — CN recognized 58 of its customers and supply chain partners for their commitment to sustainability. CN’s EcoConnexions Partnership Program celebrates companies that are doing their part to minimize their impact on the environment and are committed to emissions reduction, energy efficiency and biodiversity. …The 58 customers and supply chain partners recognized this year in CN’s EcoConnexions Partnership Program [include]: Canfor, Cascades, Domtar, Kruger Products LP, Louisiana Pacific, Resolute Forest Products Canada, West Fraser Timber and Weyerhaeuser. …Evaluations to select customers and supply chain partners are completed by an independent third-party specialized in sustainability, based on each applicant’s policies, reporting, targets and environmental initiatives.
With the holidays around the corner, Western is embracing the spirit of giving with a donation of $100,000 to help provide meals and toys this season. By partnering with over 30 charitable organizations and First Nations communities, the financial contribution will benefit those in need across the areas the company operates in BC and Washington State. “We are pleased to extend our commitment to communities with this seasonal tradition again,” said CEO Steven Hofer. “By partnering with community groups across the areas where we operate, we are able to lend a helping hand to those in need.” …Chemainus Harvest House has been helping feed those in need while facilitating self-sufficiency. This is the third year Western has teamed up with them. …“We are truly blessed for support from Western Forest Products,” said Barb Champagne, Ladysmith Resources Centre Association’s Christmas Cheer campaign coordinator.
A Tacoma tideflats paper mill that specializes in packaging has been fined $52,500 by the state Department of Ecology (DOE) for failing to adequately treat hazardous air pollutants. WestRock Co., which occupies the end of the peninsula between the Puyallup and Middle waterways, failed a performance test on April 17 when it insufficiently reduced hazardous air pollutants in the mill’s wastewater streams, DOE said in a press release. Those levels must meet levels set in WestRock’s air quality permit. The permit requires WestRock to treat hazardous air pollutants dissolved in certain wastewater streams generated during the paper-making process. The main pollutant is methanol, DOE said.
During the ‘heat dome’ of 2021 firefighters from the BC Wildfire Service battled a large wildfire in the Trozzo Creek watershed close to many Slocan Valley communities. Thankfully, some of this area was already being managed by the Slocan Integral Forestry Cooperative (SIFCo) to reduce fire intensity. “It was very useful,” said SIFCo manager Stephan Martineau. “That area was used as an anchor for a backburn that burned toward the fire and created a barrier for the advancing flames.” This stopped the fire in its tracks and allowed fire crews to establish and protect the northern edge of the wildfire. …Both the Nakusp and Area Community Forest and the Kaslo and District Community Forest Society have recently received FESBC grants totalling about $350,000 each, while SIFCo received approximately $500,000. Projects range from creating access roads for wildfire crews to thinning out forests so they don’t burn as intensely.
Canada’s climate adaptation strategy is underfunded and does not clearly align its goals with the country’s top climate change risks, a new report says. The Canadian Climate Institute put out the report, which makes 11 recommendations for improvements to the federal government’s draft $1.6-billion strategy it released in November. The report says while it’s good that the strategy establishes clear, high-level priorities like disaster resilience, health and biodiversity, there hasn’t been work done to assess which risks are most significant and urgent. Ryan Ness, the institute’s director of adaptation research, said other countries with similar national strategies, like New Zealand and Germany, did assessments to define the top issues that need co-ordinated national attention.
