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The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has unveiled a new mascot to be the familiar and friendly face of FAO’s work supporting countries and communities to manage the growing threat of wildfires. Source: Timberbiz Launched following the Global Fire Management Hub Plenary at FAO headquarters, the mascot Pyra is a female tiger symbolising strength, courage and a strong protective instinct. The mascot, which was designed using AI, will be deployed by FAO to help spread the word about the best strategies for preventing wildfires and reducing the damage they can cause. The tiger’s name was chosen via a poll of the experts, practitioners, policymakers and community leaders attending the Global Fire Management Hub Plenary. FAO chose a female tiger as a symbol of strength but also a symbol of wildlife under threat and to address gender representation in fire management. Fire management has traditionally been a male-dominated field, and the new mascot also highlights the need to advance gender equality, fight discrimination in fire management, and encourage more participation by women and minorities in leadership, firefighting and policymaking roles. “We hope this mascot will serve as a symbol for strengthening global fire management efforts and might also inspire collaborative campaigns across countries and regions,” said Zhimin Wu, Director of FAO’s Forestry Division. An exhibit during the Global Fire Management Hub Plenary also showed how mascots have long been used by countries to help engage diverse audiences, raise awareness about environmental issues and provide an instantly recognizable symbol for campaigns on wildfires. In Chile, Forestín, the beaver has helped raise awareness and encourage fire prevention. In South Africa an antelope called Bokkie played that role. In Brazil, Labareda, a giant anteater, represented the damage fires can do to native species and ecosystems. In the United States, Smokey bear, with his message, “Only you can prevent wildfires”, became a wartime symbol of care, caution and community action on fire prevention. And in Indonesia, SiPongi the orangutan stood for hope and action in the face of forest fires and, as a critically endangered species, for the urgent need to protect habitats as part of conservation work. FAO has a long history of supporting countries to adopt an integrated fire management approach to establish more effective systems for preventing wildfires, preparing for and responding to them and recovering and building resilience afterwards. In 2023, it launched the Global Fire Management Hub, a platform for supporting countries to implement the approach through adapting it to their specific environments.  

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Resource efficiency in construction is a rising aspect of sustainable development. By utilising materials that are efficient and require fewer resources for construction solutions, we can reduce the carbon footprint of building projects. Source: Timberbiz Resource efficiency benefits the entire construction value chain from material manufacturers and designers to construction companies, property owners and end users, as it reduces costs, improves competitiveness and can create new business opportunities in the construction sector. Effective planning is essential when creating low-emission and material-efficient buildings. Each construction material has unique properties that make it suitable for specific applications, and no single material is perfect for all scenarios. By evaluating the overall environmental impact of materials, including their production, use, and end-of-life disposal, we can make balanced and informed decisions. Prioritising materials that enable resource-efficient solutions and offer high performance with minimal environmental impact is crucial in construction projects. Using material-efficient construction materials offers remarkable advantages. The primary benefit lies in their ability to reduce the amount of raw materials needed, which in turn lowers the energy consumption and emissions associated with the specific construction solution. For instance, using lightweight materials with high strength-to-weight ratios can result in less material being required for the same structural performance, leading to substantial reductions in carbon emissions. For real-estate investors and developers, using resource-efficient material solutions reduces the need for raw materials, which may enable project cost savings and increased profit margins. Material efficiency can also lead to thinner wall structures meaning more square meters can be obtained for sale. Meeting environmental regulations and qualifying for green certifications can provide financial incentives and improve reputation. Sustainable projects may also attract more environmentally conscious customers and can lead to higher property values and faster sales. For construction companies, less material handling and transport streamline construction, reducing labour costs and project timelines. Less material on construction sites means also less waste management expenses. Sustainable practices can attract clients who value environmental responsibility, enhancing market position. Resource-efficient construction materials offer architects and engineers a powerful pathway to smarter, more sustainable design. By optimising structural performance with minimal material use, we can reduce waste, lower environmental impact, and support faster, more cost-effective project delivery. Resource-efficient materials enable lighter, more versatile structures that maintain safety and functionality while allowing for creative and distinctive architectural expression. Embracing material efficiency not only supports innovation but also enhances professional reputation. As real estate investors, developers and construction companies are increasingly seeking sustainable solutions, the commitment to resource-efficient design positions architects and engineers as forward-thinking leaders in the construction sector. In this way, efficient materials are not just a practical choice; they can also be a strategic asset in modern construction. According to a new verified study, Kerto LVL brings over 70 % smaller fossil climate impact and over 80 % material savings by weight compared to steel reinforced concrete The new comparative study made by an international engineering, design and advisory company AFRY, highlights the significant climate benefits of Kerto LVL when compared to traditional steel reinforced concrete in certain applications. “In floor structures, using floor elements made of Kerto LVL instead of steel reinforced concrete, it can result in over 70% smaller fossil climate impact per square meter, with a fossil climate impact of 29 kg CO2e compared to 105 kg CO2e for steel reinforced concrete. Moreover, the material consumption per square meter for Kerto LVL is only 34 kg, whereas reinforced steel concrete requires 675 kg,” said Rosa Zabihian, Sustainability Manager from Metsä Wood. Location for the building site was assumed to be in Central-Europe, with local production for concrete and Kerto LVL’s production in Finland and transported to Central-Europe. The study was critically reviewed by Research institutes of Sweden, RISE and Ramboll. For the wall structure, two different load-bearing inner-core structures of external wall elements were compared: one was traditional steel reinforced concrete, and the other was Kerto LVL. The study reveals that Kerto LVL results in a fossil climate impact of 52 kg CO2e per square meter, while steel reinforced concrete has a fossil climate impact of 68 kg CO2e per m2. The overall fossil climate impact from the entire lifecycle of Kerto LVL is over 20% smaller compared to steel reinforced concrete. The material consumption per square meter of wall for Kerto LVL is 60 kg compared to 463 kg for reinforced steel concrete, meaning over 80% less usage of material in weight. This comparison illustrates the benefits of using resource-efficient materials in construction to minimize environmental impact. The results of the study show the climate advantages of building floor and wall structures with Kerto LVL compared to reinforced steel concrete. This can help identify opportunities for emission reduction in construction projects. By adopting material-efficient and low-carbon construction practices, all stakeholders within the construction industry can reduce the carbon footprint of building projects and contribute to more sustainable development.

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