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The success of the IUFRO World Congress 2024 was a collective effort, involving hundreds of individuals. This summary report prepared by the Congress Organizing Committee presents the carrying out and outcome of the IUFRO World Congress 2024. Source: Timberbiz It was the largest IUFRO World Congress ever with almost 4,300 delegates from 110 countries, 3,500 presentations and hundreds of showcased innovations. IUFRO’s role as the global voice of forest science is more critical than ever. Under the theme Forests and Society Towards 2050, the congress set new standards for scientific dialogue, innovation, collaboration, diversity, interdisciplinarity and inclusivity. The congress has proven its value in advancing research, influencing policy, and addressing global challenges. Moving forward, it showed the need to inspire young researchers, strengthen regional partnerships, and advocate for sustainable forest management globally. The results from the congress will guide IUFRO’s future work and make a lasting impact worldwide. The Summary Report summarizes the congress participation and the management by the host organizations IUFRO, SLU and the other co-hosting organizations in the Nordic and Baltic countries, as well as the momentous contributions by hundreds of individuals, partners and subcommittees. Looking ahead to the next IUFRO World Congress in Kenya in 2029, the Summary Report is essential to secure the heritage from the outgoing to the incoming Congress Organizing Committee. The concept of the IUFRO World Congress needs constant improvements and should evolve in line with societal development. Still, the handing over of a strong heritage should give the next host country the prerequisites for the IUFRO World Congress to remain a strong platform to guide the future global forest community dialogue, in accordance with the Stockholm Congress Statement. You can download the summary report at https://www.iufro.org/iufro-news/iufro-2024-world-congress-summary-report

Volvo has launched a new lineup of articulated haulers which is set for stepwise introductions on markets globally during 2025. The updated models mark a significant technological leap forward thanks to key innovations such as a new electronic system and an in-house developed transmission, delivering fuel efficiency improvements of up to 15% depending on model and industrial application. Source: Timberbiz The machines’ new state-of-the-art design has been constructed in such a way as to adapt over time to fit future drivetrains. A highlight of this launch is the all-new A50 model, which expands customer opportunities in the demanding hauler segment. This addition, available in selected markets, underscores the company’s commitment to meeting the evolving needs of its customers by enhancing operational capabilities and offering more choices. The result is cutting-edge, safe, and productive machines that have been purpose-built to lower total cost of ownership and respond to the challenges of today and tomorrow across the toughest of worksites, especially when combined with Volvo’s pioneering digital solutions, such as the Haul Assist with onboard weighing. “For nearly 60 years we have been leading the way with our range of articulated haulers and now with today´s launch of a new range of outstanding products, including one completely new model, we prove that there are no limits to our capacity for innovation,” Melker Jernberg, President of Volvo CE said. “Our customers know to expect a first-class operation when they get into one of our haulers, but that experience has just got even better with a host of cutting-edge features designed with our customers in mind.” Developed to be among the most fuel-efficient hauling solutions on the market, the new models have also been built with a focus on sustainability. This includes the introduction of low carbon emission steel made from recycled materials and produced using fossil free electricity and biogas in serial production of haulers manufactured at the Braås site. Given steel is a major component in Volvo CE products and traditionally generates significant carbon emissions material circularity is another example of Volvo CE taking action across its operations to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. This launch is part of Volvo’s most extensive product portfolio overhaul in decades, with over 35% of its range renewed in the past 12 months. It marks a pivotal step in the company’s ongoing commitment to innovation and leadership in the construction equipment industry.

The Trump administration has taken significant steps to reshape the United States’ trade relations with Canada by imposing tariffs on Canadian lumber imports. President Donald Trump, during recent executive orders signed at the Oval Office, remarked, “We don’t need the products from Canada. We have all the oil you need. We have all the trees you need.” Source: The Pinnacle Gazette https://evrimagaci.org/tpg This declaration underpins the rationale behind the newly established 25% tariff on softwood lumber, which comprises about 30% of the lumber used annually for American homes. The tariffs come at a time when housing affordability has reached crisis levels across the United States. This affordability crisis is compounded by rising demand resulting from natural disasters like hurricanes and wildfires, which have destroyed thousands of homes. Nick Erickson, senior director of housing policy for Housing First Minnesota, stated, “Our industry relies heavily on predictability. Whether it’s lumber tariffs or tariffs on any other import, these can impact the supply chain.” He adds emphasis to how these tariffs invariably increase costs for new homebuyers. The introduction of tariffs on lumber could escalate already soaring construction costs. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has expressed concern over the significant share of softwood lumber imported, noting the role it plays as the backbone of home construction used extensively for framing, roofing, and siding. According to NAHB estimates, out of approximately US$184 billion worth of goods contributing to new single-family and multifamily construction this year, around US$13 billion comprises imported materials, with lumber (valued at approximately US$8.5 billion) accounting for the lion’s share of imports. History has shown the volatile nature of lumber tariffs. The previous Softwood Lumber Agreement between the US and Canada limited trade flows significantly, which saw US lumber producers gain from tariffs at the expense of consumers, who faced higher prices. Rajan Parajuli, a professor of forest economics and policy at North Carolina State University noted, “The losers always will be the consumers with the limited benefit for the domestic producers.” His remarks highlight the potential pitfalls of restricting imported lumber historical patterns suggest it leads to inflated costs for American buyers rather than bolstering the domestic industry. Despite arguments asserting the US can compensate for the loss of lumber imports with domestic production, experts caution against oversimplification. There are substantial barriers to scaling up domestic lumber production capacity. Robert Dietz, chief economist at NAHB, explained, “Expanding the industry takes time. There are regulatory approvals required to open new sawmills, which convert timber to lumber, and harvesting limits pose additional challenges.” He elaborates on the systemic labour shortages the sector faces, with hundreds of thousands of positions remaining unfilled, affecting sawmills and the timber industry alike. The lumber pricing instability was starkly illustrated during the pandemic when prices surged dramatically. Reports detailed how the price of softwood lumber skyrocketed from around US$350 to over US$1,500 per thousand board feet, underscoring the fragility of the housing materials market. Even as production remained relatively steady, the associated costs rose significantly. While the deluge of tariffs and their repercussions paint a bleak picture for housing affordability, some researchers and industry leaders express cautious optimism. Erickson pointed out, “This housing shortage in America has really created this interesting bipartisanship… on this concept of increasing housing affordability.” This sentiment reflects growing unity among stakeholders across political lines, as pressure mounts to diminish barriers to new housing construction. The future remains uncertain, and with tariffs likely driving up costs significantly, maintaining housing affordability will require careful navigation through both political and economic landscapes. Homebuilders are hopeful for easing regulations and innovative policy solutions to mitigate the challenges presented by tariffs and the overall housing crisis.

A New Zealand survey just published, has revealed no detectable signs of kauri in the Hūnua Ranges. The health monitoring survey, the first for the Hūnua Ranges, was carried out between March and November 2023. It was designed to establish the health of kauri, including whether the pathogen might be present in the ranges and collected comprehensive data on 561 kauri trees. Source: Timberbiz The survey was a collaborative effort between Auckland Council, the Department of Conservation, and ngā iwi mana whenua o Te Ngāherehere o Kohukohunui – Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, Ngāti Tamaoho, Ngāti Whanaunga, and Ngāti Tamaterā. Results indicate a robustly healthy kauri population, with over 95% of trees surveyed in excellent health, a much higher rate than the 55% of sites observed in the 2021 Waitākere survey. Furthermore, over 92% of surveyed sites showed the presence of healthy seedlings or saplings, indicating strong regeneration and a healthy ecosystem. Importantly, the survey found no evidence of kauri dieback within the study area. Chair of the Policy and Planning Committee Councillor Richard Hills says Auckland Council has made significant investment into both kauri protection and surveillance since 2018, and the report shows these efforts are paying off. “The kauri dieback pathogen has been detected in most regions where kauri grows in New Zealand, so to have 97% to 99.9% confidence the Hūnua Ranges area is dieback free, is remarkable,” says Councillor Hills. “As a popular destination, recreational activity in the Hūnua Ranges is high and the results demonstrate the importance the community places on protecting this special area and supporting the council in its efforts to keep kauri healthy and thriving. “The assurance this report affords us is critical for ongoing forest management and underscores the necessity for proactive conservation efforts and community engagement to preserve the health of the Hūnua Ranges and all of our precious forests.” Auckland Council’s Principal Biosecurity Advisor, Dr Sarah Killick says protecting kauri from the threat of dieback is paramount to ensuring the specie’s survival. “The findings of this survey provide a baseline for monitoring kauri health and will guide future prevention strategies to safeguard this precious ecosystem.” The survey’s risk assessment highlighted areas most vulnerable to pathogen introduction. A similar survey in the Waitākere Ranges in 2022 indicated kauri dieback was strongly associated with historical and recent soil disturbances. In areas where it occurred, kauri appeared to be more prone to poor health and vulnerable to disease. Evidence indicates soil and forest disturbances are introduction pathways for kauri dieback, emphasising the importance of preventing soil movement as key to protecting the health of this forest. Enhanced AI and machine learning tools have helped map kauri, building on the successes of similar efforts in the Waitākere Ranges. Dr Killick says ongoing monitoring will be critical to track changes in kauri health over time, considering factors such as land use, environmental management, and climate change. The survey will continue to be carried out every five years.