Industrial forest plantation

The domestic forestry and pulp and paper sectors do not have as negative an impact on the environment as many people might believe, industry bodies Forestry South Africa (Forestry SA) and the Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (Pamsa) emphasise.

Mondi Uncoated Fine Paper (UFP) has launched an online training tool, the Green Modules, to provide customers with an educational tool and information about sustainable paper production. Mondi created the online microsite (www.mondigroup.com/greenmodules), which is accessible to the wider public by registering online and provides unlimited access to the modules.

Global Environment Fund, a U.S. private-equity firm with $1 billion under management, completed the closing of a $160 million fund for sustainable forestry in sub-Saharan Africa.

The Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry says foresters seeking carbon credits through the Emissions Trading Scheme have been driving much of the increase in new tree plantings.

The Australian House of Representatives Standing Committee on Agriculture, Resources, Fisheries & Forestry has issued the findings of its inquiry into the forestry sector.