In the face of more catastrophic fires, climate smart forestry is part of the solution: Nighbor
Earlier today, Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) released a national conservation report entitled: Conservation Forestry – Careful Use of Canada’s Forest Resources. The report identifies the link between Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) and the progress being made on biodiversity goals, Indigenous-led management, and net-zero carbon targets.
The report provides insights into sustainable forest management in Canada, the world-leading regulatory frameworks in place, the growing impacts of fires on forest health, and the commitment of Canadian forestry workers to supporting the birds, mammals, and fish that call Canada’s forests home. It also recognizes forestry as a critical tool in the global toolbox to support biodiversity and climate change.
This report comes on the heels of a global report by Dalberg, issued during the recent COP27 climate meetings in Egypt, which outlined how governments around the world are turning to the benefits of climate smart forestry and the forest bioeconomy to support climate action as well as sustainable and inclusive economic development.
“As we face worsening fire patterns across the country, climate smart forestry is part of the solution to protect families, communities, and critical infrastructure, and reduce carbon emissions,” said FPAC President and CEO Derek Nighbor.
“The world is waking up to the forest sector’s essential role in meeting international climate change targets,” noted FPAC’s SVP and Chief Sustainability Officer Kate Lindsay. “In Canada, sustainable forest management can be a key component to realizing our domestic and international goals and objectives regarding biodiversity and climate change. As we head into important COP15 discussions this report will help shine a light on the ability of Canada’s forest sector to contribute to our international commitments on biological diversity and climate change,” she added.
The full report can be found here.
To request a French copy of the report, click here.
FPAC provides a voice for Canada’s wood, pulp, and paper producers nationally and internationally in government, trade, and environmental affairs. As an industry with annual revenues exceeding $75B, Canada’s forest products sector is one of the country’s largest employers operating in over 600 communities, providing 225,000 direct jobs, and over 600,000 indirect jobs across the country. FPAC and its members are committed to collaborating with Indigenous leaders, federal and provincial governments, labour partners, community groups, and other rightsholders and stakeholders to secure and advance the sector’s environmental, social, and economic potential for the long-term.