Forest Products Industry

Mature and old-growth forests are vital for biodiversity, carbon storage, cultural traditions and economic activity. But in Alaska and British Columbia, these rich resources haven’t been reliably mapped, leaving much unknown about what land is protected. Source: Timberbiz Now, University of Oregon researchers are leading a comprehensive mapping effort that sheds light on the location, makeup and conservation status of old-growth forests across the region. Their data show that more than 40% of mature and old growth forests in the study area are in places that lack permanent legislative protection. These forests also store the most carbon in the study area. “Our goal was to better capture where old-growth forests exist, how and where they’re being conserved and what the different vulnerabilities are based on the policies that govern conservation efforts,” said study lead author James Lamping. The study was recently published in the journal Ecosystems. Old-growth forests in Alaska and British Columbia are protected through a range of land classifications, including national parks, national monuments and wilderness areas. But by far the greatest area of old-growth forest was found in “Inventoried Roadless Areas” in Alaska. Inventoried Roadless Areas lack the permanent legislative protections found in places like national parks or monuments. Instead, they’re governed by the federal administration. For over 20 years, the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule has prohibited road construction or timber harvests in these areas. But changes in administrative priorities can alter the protections given to Inventoried Roadless Areas without going through Congress. “One of the biggest takeaways from our research is that the highest amount of old-growth forests are in Inventoried Roadless Areas, which happen to be the most vulnerable to changes in the policies that govern these forests,” said Melissa Lucash, UO geographer and co-author of the study. “The mapping effort showed just how much old growth, and how much carbon storage, exists in areas that are more vulnerable to these types of policy changes.” The researchers don’t call for policy changes or conservation protections in their paper. Instead, they provide the status of old-growth forests in Alaska and British Columbia, which can be used to track changes and guide policy. In Alaska, they found 3,720 square kilometres of old-growth forests in Inventoried Roadless Areas, compared to 1,560 square kilometres in national monuments and 730 in national parks. In Oregon, Washington, and northern California, land managers have used this kind of data to inform the Northwest Forest Plan, which dictates land use and management on federal lands in the Pacific Northwest. But in Alaska and British Columbia, there have only been piecemeal snapshots of old-growth forests, or global maps that lack precise information about their location and makeup, the researchers said. Mapping this data for Alaska and British Columbia was particularly challenging because the area spans international borders. “It’s been hard to get a good idea about how much old growth there is in Alaska and British Columbia because different agencies apply different definitions for old-growth forests, and these maps are often artificially dissected by borders,” Ms Lucash said. “We wanted to create a consistent framework that offers confidence in the maps that we produced.” Mr Lamping started with forest inventory plots that contain data about the makeup of forests, including tree species, vegetation and structure. He linked those measurements to satellite imagery, climate variables and topographic data to create a detailed map, making inferences based on how similar a given spot’s environmental conditions were to places that have been measured on the ground. The group mapped the different species in each forest, the type of forest, the amount of carbon storage and what percentage of each area is classified as mature or old growth. Knowing the makeup of the forest helps land managers better understand where conservation efforts could significantly enhance biodiversity and carbon storage. The group’s methodology can also be used to track changes in the forests over time. “The Northwest Forest Plan highlights how important old growth is and how much we need strong and consistent data for policy decisions,” Mr Lamping said. “But this data is just as important in Alaska and British Columbia. The Pacific Northwest’s temperate rainforests are all connected, so it’s vital that we have maps and continued monitoring for mature and old growth forests across the entire region.”  

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Proposals to reduce forestry activity and increase protected forest areas have become an important part of the European forestry debate. However, according to a new impact assessment, such measures risk leading to lower production, tens of thousands of lost jobs, and higher societal costs — without delivering any climate benefits. Source: PaperAge A new national forestry impact analysis shows that a more restrictive Swedish forestry policy would have far-reaching consequences for the economy, employment, and energy supply. The study was conducted by Tomas Thuresson, a forestry PhD and former Head of Silviculture at the Swedish Forest Agency, together with Runar Brännlund, Professor Emeritus of Economics at the Centre for Environmental and Resource Economics (CERE) at Umeå University. The report was commissioned by SCA. Jonas Mårtensson, Head of Business Area at SCA Forest, notes that the report highlights both the significant benefits of active forest management and the risks associated with seeking “simple solutions.” “Actively managed forests generate enormous benefits, both economically and for the climate. The fundamental principle is to harvest mature forests and replace them with new forests that can continue absorbing carbon dioxide. This also forms the basis for renewable products that replace concrete, steel, plastics, and other emission-intensive materials,” Mårtensson said. “The entire forestry system, which provides substantial climate benefits, is profitable and creates value. It generates jobs, investments, export revenues, and tax income. To me, the report illustrates how easily one can lose sight of the bigger picture in the pursuit of simple solutions and instead risk damaging a socially beneficial forest industry without actually achieving anything positive.” The researchers analyzed the effects of several policy proposals currently being discussed within the framework of EU forest policy development, including reduced harvesting, increased conservation set-asides, and so-called “Closer to Nature” forestry, which involves a greater use of continuous-cover forestry methods instead of clear-cutting. The report concludes that a reduction in harvesting would have a nearly proportional effect on forest raw material production. If harvesting decreases by 15%, production and economic value would decline by a similar amount. The most significant impacts occur under the “Closer to Nature” scenario, in which half of Sweden’s managed forests are converted to continuous-cover forestry methods and a larger share of forest land is set aside for natural development. According to the analysis, harvesting would then decline by 25-%30%, while the supply of sawlogs would fall by 30% – 40% for several decades. This would result in the loss of between 25,000 and 35,000 jobs and a reduction in value added of up to one-third. “Restricting Swedish forestry is a costly illusion that in practice leads to leakage to other countries, a weaker economy, fewer jobs, and a reduced climate contribution. To me, it is an obviously expensive and ineffective path that hinders the transition from fossil-based to renewable solutions.” Said Tomas Thuresson, a forestry PhD and former Head of Silviculture at the Swedish Forest Agency. Mr Thuresson points out, “Restricting Swedish forestry is a costly illusion that in practice leads to leakage to other countries, a weaker economy, fewer jobs, and a reduced climate contribution. To me, it is an obviously expensive and ineffective path that hinders the transition from fossil-based to renewable solutions.” A central question addressed in the report is how reduced forestry activity would affect the climate. The analysis shows that carbon storage in forests may increase in the short term when less timber is harvested. In the longer term, however, forest growth declines, which according to the report’s authors leads to reduced carbon sequestration both in forests and in wood products. The researchers also argue that the climate benefits of forest products may diminish. When wood is used in buildings, packaging, or energy systems, it can replace materials and energy sources associated with higher fossil emissions. If the supply of Swedish forest raw materials decreases, this so-called substitution effect is weakened. The report also highlights the risk of carbon leakage. If demand for wood products remains unchanged while production in Sweden declines, production may instead shift to countries with higher emission levels. Runar Brännlund notes, “The climate benefits of these measures, when material substitution and carbon leakage are excluded, do not justify the costs. When carbon leakage is also taken into account, one cannot rule out the possibility that the overall climate impact becomes negative.” Forest biomass currently accounts for nearly 40% of Sweden’s energy consumption, and a reduced supply of raw materials could affect the energy system, particularly district heating networks in larger cities. According to the report, the consequences would not be limited to the forest industry. Forest biomass currently accounts for nearly 40% of Sweden’s energy consumption, and a reduced supply of raw materials could affect the energy system, particularly district heating networks in larger cities. The analysis also shows that the socioeconomic cost of additional conservation set asides is substantial and is estimated to be roughly twice the cost of acquiring the land outright. According to the report’s authors, the focus should therefore be on maximizing the climate benefits of Swedish forests through active management and the continued development of resource-efficient products and materials. “If the goal is to achieve genuine climate benefits — that is, global emissions reductions rather than merely reductions in national emissions — the focus should be on active Swedish forestry and the continued development of the Swedish forest industry,” Brännlund says. “This would ensure both increased climate benefits and higher employment in Sweden.” The core of SCA’s business is the forest, Europe’s largest private forest holding. SCA offers packaging paper, pulp, wood products, renewable energy, services for forest owners and efficient transport solutions. SCA was founded in 1929 and has its headquarters in Sundsvall, Sweden.

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WoodWorks – Wood Products Council in the US has announced eight 2026 Wood in Architecture award winners, celebrating excellence and innovation in mass timber, heavy timber, light-frame, and hybrid building design. Source: Timberbiz The annual award program recognizes developers and design teams using wood in innovative ways that positively impact the environment, occupants, and communities throughout the US. “WoodWorks was founded to support innovation in modern wood design, and we’re fortunate to work alongside the teams taking on that work every day. Our award program gives us a chance to step back and celebrate what they’ve accomplished, and the projects that represent the best of what wood can achieve,” said Jennifer Cover, PE, WoodWorks President & CEO. An independent jury of design professionals reviewed, deliberated, and selected the winning projects based on four criteria: design excellence, innovative use of wood, sustainability & resilience, and market impact. Winning projects reflect a broad and evolving landscape for mass timber and light-frame wood construction, ranging from urban campuses to rural communities, and from small-scale buildings to flagship headquarters. “The winning projects illustrate not only what is possible today, but where the industry is headed,” Ms Cover said. “High-performance envelopes, advanced acoustic and vibration solutions, and hybrid structural systems are enabling wood to meet rigorous program requirements while delivering warm, human-centered spaces.” 2026 winning projects Amy Gutmann Hall, Data Science & AI Building Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Architect: Lake Flato Architects (Design Architect, Architect of Record); KSS Architects (Associate Architect) Structural Engineer: Buro Happold General Contractor: Gilbane Building Company Developer/Owner: University of Pennsylvania Cincinnati Public Radio Cincinnati, Ohio Architect: emersion DESIGN Structural Engineer: Schaefer General Contractor: Skanska Developer/Owner: Cincinnati Public Radio Doris Duke Theatre at Jacob’s Pillow Becket, Massachusetts Design Architect: Mecanoo; Architect of Record: Marvel Structural Engineer: TYLin General Contractor: Allegrone Companies Developer/Owner: Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival Knight Building Big Sky, Montana Design Architects: Integrated Design Cubed (IDCUBED) / NKBAK / Peter Rose + Partners; Architect of Record: Peter Rose + Partners Structural Engineer: RSE Associates, Inc. General Contractor: Highline Partners Developer/Owner: Lone Mountain Land Company The Kreher Preserve & Nature Centre Environmental Education Building Auburn, Alabama Architect: Leers Weinzapfel Associates Structural Engineer of Record: Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH); Delegated Design Engineer: KPFF General Contractor: W.W. Compton Contractor, LLC Developer/Owner: Auburn University – College of Forestry, Wildlife, and the Environment Mercer Middle School Seattle, Washington Architect: Bassetti Architects, A Design Studio of HMC Architects Structural Engineer: Coughlin Porter Lundeen General Contractor: Cornerstone General Contractors Developer/Owner: Seattle Public Schools Orange County Sanitation District Headquarters Fountain Valley, California Architect: HDR Structural Engineer: HDR General Contractor: Swinerton Developer/Owner: Orange County Sanitation District Under Armour Global Headquarters Baltimore, Maryland Architect: Gensler Structural Engineer: Thornton Tomasetti General Contractor: The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company Developer/Owner: Under Armour

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The Threads of Tomorrow Summit, to be held on 16 June in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland, will bring together leaders, innovators and change makers from across the fibre, textile and fashion industries to explore solutions, foster collaboration and inspire innovation for a more sustainable future. Source: Timberbiz Presented by FSC promotional licence holder Fashion & Textiles New Zealand, the summit will feature talks from industry experts and leaders, alongside the opportunity to explore the Innovation Hub stalls and discover the latest developments in sustainability within the fashion industry. FSC Australia and New Zealand will be participating in the Innovation Hub, showcasing how responsibly sourced forest-based materials can support the fashion industry’s transition towards more sustainable practices. From fibres and textiles to footwear and packaging, FSC certification helps verify that forest-based materials are sourced responsibly, supporting forests, biodiversity and the rights of workers, Indigenous peoples and local communities. As fashion brands increasingly seek lower-impact and traceable material solutions, FSC-certified forest-based materials like viscose, lyocell, natural rubber and paper-based packaging offer verifiable pathways to responsible sourcing and greater supply chain transparency. At the Summit, FSC will host an exhibit featuring apparel, textiles, footwear and packaging solutions from FSC promotional licence holders and certificate holders across Australia and New Zealand. The exhibit will highlight innovative applications of responsibly sourced forest-based materials and demonstrate how FSC-certified solutions can help drive more sustainable, scalable and circular approaches across the fashion and textile sector.

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