Australian timber industry news

The forestry sector is ripe for a tech revolution. Here are five technologies to watch out for in the near future. Source: Timberbiz First, keeping an eye on hundreds of thousands of trees is a herculean task, traditionally carried out on foot in all weathers. Imagery, whether it be taken by a drone or satellite, is a more efficient way to see the landscape. Using satellite images can help keep track of the forest’s condition and check the health of trees. Drones can fly among the trees and gather similar information, like tree density and health status. This way, areas needing attention can be quickly identified and necessary actions taken. However, it’s challenging to detect smaller trees, which can be overlooked in the images. Secondly, connect with your senses with a sensor for the air, monitoring temperature, humidity and quality. A sensor for the soil, monitoring moisture content. A sensor for the tree, monitoring growth. Combine all of these through an Internet-of-Things network, and an expansive, real-time and accurate picture of the forest can be created. While this can be used to optimise conditions, it can provide early warnings of wildfire or disease ensuring damage is minimised. Third, the advent of AI. Images and sensors provide vast quantities of potentially useful data. Without analysis, that data remains useless but analysing it is a complex and time-consuming process. The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) can expedite the process while also providing far higher quality insights. By rapidly identifying patterns and anomalies in vast quantities of data, AI promises to enhance forest management. Fourth, controlled environment technologies involve controlling the environment to optimise growth. This is most obviously known in the form of vertical farming where light, temperature, nutrients and water levels are controlled to optimise the growth of crops, all on a smaller footprint of land due to the stacking of growing surfaces. The same can be applied to trees, by growing seedlings through vertical farming, ensuring optimal conditions, before being planted out-doors. This has the added benefit of growing saplings faster and in a bio-secure environment, reducing the risk of disease. Last is the rise of robotics. Forestry has been a human-centred activity for a long time but robotics and automation have made their way into the sector to increase productivity. Robotic harvesters are already available commercially, operating tasks such as pruning, harvesting, inventorying and planting. Teaming robotics with automation, as has been done in certain agricultural sectors, could further optimise the time and quality of these operations. Many of these technologies are already being explored within the forestry sector. For example, in Devon and Cornwall, drones have been used not for imaging, but to plant 75,000 seeds as a means of tripling rainforest cover in the area. As these technologies are adopted more widely, they will continue to be improved, and the value proposition will become more evident. Although early adopters may face initial challenges, they are also more likely to gain the greatest rewards rather than being left to play catchup.  

The Wood Pellet Association of Canada (WPAC) is making strides in international market engagement with the launch of a multi-lingual website and a targeted Japanese market awareness campaign. Source: Timberbiz Recognizing the importance of export markets, particularly in Asia, where Japan is Canada’s largest customer, WPAC’s website is now available in Japanese, Traditional Chinese, and Korean. This initiative ensures that key international stakeholders can easily access information about the sustainability, quality and reliability of Canadian wood pellets. Japan is the fastest-growing wood pellet import market in the world, driven by its aggressive push to phase out coal and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The country’s long-term feed-in tariff (FIT) for bio-mass energy supports this transition, creating significant opportunities for Canada’s pellet sector. Canadian wood pellets are a key part of Japan’s clean energy future, offering a low-carbon, renewable alternative to fossil fuels. To further engage with Japanese customers, policymakers and energy influencers, WPAC has launched a communications campaign in Japan. This effort includes: A series of media articles highlighting the sustainability of Canadian wood pellets, third-party forest certification, and the role of biomass in reducing emissions. Search engine advertising to enhance visibility among key industry decision-makers. A feature article in Smart Japan, a leading energy-sector publication.

On Tuesday China suspended the soybean import licences of three US firms and halted imports of US logs, stepping up its retaliation for additional tariffs on Chinese goods. Source: Reuters China also imposed import levies covering US$21 billion worth of US agricultural and food products including soybeans, wheat, meat and cotton. The three US companies affected by the licence suspensions are farmer-owned cooperative CHS Inc (CHSCP.O), opens new tab, global grains exporter Louis Dreyfus Company Grains Merchandising LLC and export grain terminal operator EGT, China’s customs department said in a statement. Customs said it detected ergot and seed coating agent in imported US soybeans, while the suspension of US log imports was due to the detection of worms, aspergillus and other pests. Beijing is retaliating against US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose an extra 10% duty on China, effective Tuesday, resulting in a cumulative 20% tariff in response to what the White House considers Chinese inaction over drug flows. The suspension of US logs was a direct response to Trump’s move on 1 March to order a trade investigation on imported lumber. Trump had earlier told reporters that he was thinking about imposing a 25% tariff rate on lumber and forest products. “The announcement of import restrictions on US lumber and soybeans linked with phytosanitary issues follows a long history of similar measures by Beijing,” said Even Pay, agriculture analyst at Trivium China. The bulk import volumes and natural origin of soybeans and lumber make them susceptible to issues with plant health and pests, creating a convenient target for trade retaliation, Mr Pay said. China is one of the world’s largest importers of wood products and the third-largest destination for US forest products. It imported around US$850 million worth of logs and other rough wood products from the US in 2024, according to Chinese customs data.

Applications for Young Plant Producer 2025 in New Zealand are now open.  This year’s competition takes place at Lincoln University on 24-25 June. Source: Timberbiz Young people who are 30 years or under by December 31, 2025 and working in the plant production industry are eligible to enter. The event provides: Hands-on industry experience Expert mentorship Networking opportunities A NZ$3,000 career development fund A shot at the Young Horticulturist of the Year with a prize pool worth $20,000+ The 2024 Young Plant Producer Anna England went on to win Young Horticulturist of the Year. She is using some of her winnings to visit overseas plant production operations this year and learn more about the latest tech. To find out more and apply, visit the Young Plant Producer website. https://www.youngplantproducer.co.nz/enter-now  

Forest & Wood Products Australia has launched FWPA Standard G02 – Recycled Timber: Visually Graded Decorative Products, the first national standard of its kind. Source: Timberbiz This new standard provides guidelines for visually grading recycled hardwood timber used in decorative applications, setting a critical framework for assessing and grading these materials. The result of industry funded research, and developed in collaboration with industry as-sociations, recycled timber stakeholders, and user representatives, G02 has undergone public comment, review and refinement based on practical application as part of the formal consultation process. “The industry has long sought greater clarity around recycled timber grading to further support the use of recycled timber products in the built environment, and G02 delivers just that,” FWPA’s National Codes & Standards Manager Boris Iskra said. “We are excited to see this standard adopted and look forward to launching further industry-led standards that positively impact our industry.” Industry Benefits of FWPA Standard G02 include: Quality Assurance – Establishes clear grading requirements for recycled hardwood timber. Compliance Verification – Helps manufacturers demonstrate adherence to industry guidelines. Guidance for Specifiers – Assists purchasers in making informed decisions. Encourages Sustainability – Promotes responsible recycling and resource conservation. Industry Standardisation – Creates a unified approach to recycled timber grading. Flexibility in Sourcing – Acknowledges the diverse origins of recycled timber. Facilitates Communication – Encourages better commercial transactions. Future Development – Lays the groundwork for formalisation as an Australian Standard. And in response to industry demand for clearer, more practical guidelines, FWPA has established a dedicated Standards Development Program. Again led by FWPA’s National Codes & Standards Manager Boris Iskra, this initiative ensures that industry-owned standards are developed with direct input from those who use them, improving efficiency, alignment with industry needs, and responsiveness to emerging challenges. At the heart of this collaborative effort is the Industry Standards Reference Panel (SRP), a diverse group of experts representing key industry voices. The SRP provides essential guidance and oversight, ensuring that FWPA’s standards are robust, practical, and beneficial across the supply chain. Through strategic collaboration and sustained efforts, FWPA has laid a strong foundation and built important momentum for this critical work to advance industry standards. In line with FWPA’s Strategic Plan 2023-2028, this initiative aims to develop enhanced building standards and codes that support the increased use of wood products. FWPA is committed to publishing at least two industry-owned standards per year while continuing to contribute to existing Australian Standards and collaborating with national timber and built environment committees. To learn more and download the FWPA G02 Recycled Timber – Visually Graded for Decorative Purposes click here.  

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has launched the FSC Brand Hub, a user-centric platform designed to streamline trademark management, marketing resources, and brand assets for all FSC stakeholders. Source: Timberbiz Developed with input from users around the world, the FSC Brand Hub is tailored to the needs of certificate holders, promotional licence holders, certification bodies, and other FSC partners. This new platform replaces the legacy system, offering an improved, modernised experience that is: Simple and intuitive: easy navigation and streamlined journeys for all users. Comprehensive: access to trademark designs, customisable assets, campaigns, and guidelines all in one place. Personalised: features like bookmarks and notifications create a personalised experience. Whether you’re managing trademark designs, building marketing campaigns, or creating custom assets, the FSC Brand Hub is a one-stop solution. To ensure a smooth transition, the new platform will run alongside the legacy system for a limited time, giving users the opportunity to explore and familiarise themselves with its features. FSC will also host a webinar to introduce the Brand Hub, including how to navigate the platform, customise assets, and make the most of this exciting new resource. The webinar is on 3 April 2025 at 6.30pm AEDT register here. Access the Hub at https://brandhub.fsc.org/auth/login

Australia’s forest products sector celebrates its amazing contribution to fighting climate change, providing skilled and regional employment, creating essential products and an enormous economic contribution – this International Day of Forests, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA), Diana Hallam said. Source: Timberbiz The 2025 theme is “Forests and Food” which highlights the important role our sector has for global food security. Forests are critical for climate regulation, soil enrichment, as an energy source and for water not to mention the critical and sustainable resource they provide for humankind. As global population grows, protecting forests all over the world from threats like deforestation and fire risks is only becoming more important. “This International Day of Forests Australia’s forest products sector is calling on all policy and political decision makers to better recognise the potential of Australian forestry to provide for the nation to meet our emission reduction targets and fight climate change – as well as contribute to our sovereign capability and provide essential products,” Ms Hallam said. “Australia leads the way in global forest management whether they be native forests or plantations. It’s something we must continue, not only to secure our own access to this sustainable resource, but because it sets a quality example for the rest of the world in how production forests should be managed. “In Australia – every tree harvested in our native forests for wood and timber is replaced by law for future generations. We value what forests can provide, and we need to ensure they’re harvested sustainably. Our plantations also play a critical role in providing resource for housing, while also helping reduce national emissions through carbon sequestration. “AFPA’s Federal Election Platform Australian Timber. Australia’s Future outlines what our sector needs to reach its potential in the future, and we encourage all sides of politics to commit to the Platform in full ahead of the Election. “International Day of Forests is a time to celebrate the power of forests and in Australia they certainly are a powerhouse for our nation.”  

The Green Triangle Fire Alliance (GTFA) has commended the outstanding efforts of industry brigades, state agencies, and community volunteers as they contend with ongoing heightened fire danger across South Australia and Victoria. Source: Timberbiz Extreme temperatures, gusty winds, and persistent dry conditions have driven severe fire danger ratings, with firefighting crews responding to more than 100 fires in the past week alone. These incidents resulted in the loss of key plantation estates, farming land, and areas of native forest. The GTFA’s network of 15 AI-enabled fire detection cameras have been instrumental as a first point of detection for many of these fires, supporting rapid response times and guiding the strategic deployment of firefighting resources. GTFA General Manager Anthony Walsh highlighted the crucial role of industry-funded assets, including a dedicated helicopter that was dispatched to 11 fires, providing fast and efficient aerial suppression, often in rugged and difficult-to-access terrain. “Our highly trained industry firefighting crews have been on high alert, working alongside CFA and CFS volunteers and state agencies to protect our communities and landscapes,” Mr. Walsh said. “These recent conditions have underscored the value of our AI-driven detection network, which is delivering real-time alerts ahead of traditional human surveillance. Early detection combined with rapid deployment, strengthened by our industry helicopter, is critical in preventing fires from escalating.” The GTFA’s Forest Industry Brigade, derived from staff across nine plantation companies, comprises 300 trained firefighting personnel, 150 appliances, and an industry-funded helicopter, supported by strategically placed floating collar tanks for rapid aerial refuelling. The Alliance has also invested in the development of key firefighting dams in priority areas, enhancing water availability near vital plantation assets. “From boots on the ground to cutting-edge technology, every action taken strengthens our ability to safeguard the region,” Mr Walsh added.

Dryad Networks, a leader in ultra-early wildfire detection, is setting up its first office in Australia and New Zealand to help tackle the region’s growing bushfire crisis. Source: Timberbiz Based in Macquarie Park, New South Wales, the new hub strengthens Dryad’s ability to work directly with governments, emergency services, and industry partners to prevent fires before they spread. Sohan Domingo, who is serving as the Vice President of Sales, Technology, and Operations, is leading the expansion into Australia and New Zealand. Dryad is starting with a dedicated local team and will scale up as demand grows. Having a local base means working closely with emergency responders, forestry services, and national parks to roll out fire detection solutions tailored to Australia and New Zealand’s unique landscapes. “Australia and New Zealand are on the frontlines of climate adaptation, and early fire detection is critical,” Mr Domingo said. “With a local team, Dryad can work directly with authorities and land managers to stop fires before they spread.” Building on success in North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia, the company is bringing its technology to ANZ to detect fires before flames appear and prevent devastating losses. Each sensor runs maintenance-free for up to 15 years, powered by a small, integrated solar cell. Designed for rugged conditions, the sensors form a wireless mesh network that provides reliable coverage even in remote areas. Detecting fires at the smouldering stage gives emergency services a crucial head start. The system provides real-time fire maps and outperforms spotting towers, infrared cameras, and satellites, which only detect fires once they’ve spread. “Bushfires don’t just destroy landscapes and communities, they also fuel climate change,” Mr Domingo said. “Early detection is the key to stopping them before they spread. Dryad’s expansion isn’t just about growth; it’s about protecting lives, infrastructure, and forests. By reducing fire risk, we’re also cutting carbon emissions and building a more resilient future.” Dryad is also advancing wildfire suppression with Silvaguard, an autonomous artificial intelligence (AI)-powered drone that uses acoustic waves to extinguish fires. This innovation will provide a rapid, automated response to fire outbreaks detected by Dryad’s sensors, reinforcing early intervention efforts. Plans are underway to explore deployment opportunities in Australia and New Zealand, where fast-moving fires pose a critical challenge. Dryad is partnering with Indigenous Industries Australia (IIAust), Thinxtra, Indicium Dynamics, and New Zealand’s Direct Safety to accelerate deployment. These alliances tap into local expertise to scale bushfire detection across ANZ. Dryad also works with research institutions, government agencies, and emergency responders to refine its system and strengthen bushfire resilience in diverse landscapes.

Tasmania has been burning for more than two weeks, with no end in sight. Almost 100,000 hectares of bushland in the northwest has burned to date. This includes the Tarkine rainforest and alpine ecosystems of Cradle Mountain that may never recover. The situation has taken emergency services and land management agencies by surprise. The seasonal bushfire outlook for summer 2024 suggested Tasmania’s fire risk was nothing out of the ordinary. The state was also well prepared for bushfire fighting, particularly with specialised aircraft. But this fire season has turned out to be anything but typical. Firefighting capacity has been stretched to the limit and interstate crews have been called in. It all began with a massive lightning storm in the evening of Monday 3 February. The incidence of such lightning fires has been increasing in Tasmania since the 1990s. An official inquiry into the bushfires will no doubt be held, given the substantial social, economic and environmental harm – as well as the sizeable costs associated with fighting the fires from the air in remote and rugged landscapes. Nonetheless, important lessons are emerging from these fires, which speak to the broader, worsening threat as the climate changes. Fortunately, direct economic losses from these fires have been limited so far, despite significant disruption associated with evacuation and road closures. Tourism operators and honey producers have been hardest hit. The fires caused brief but substantial smoke pollution across the state, placing a range of people with medical conditions at risk. The full environmental effects and the benefits of prescribed burning are yet to be evaluated. Nonetheless, there is grave concern about damage to unique rainforests and alpine ecosystems. If sufficiently dry the organic soils, or peats, that supports forests and treeless areas in western Tasmania are also vulnerable to combustion. We undertook a preliminary estimate of how much highly fire-sensitive vegetation – plant communities that will take more than 50 years to recover – may have burned. This involved comparing the current bushfire boundaries or footprint, based on satellite data and field reconnaissance, to vegetation mapping used for various purposes including fire management. We put the figure at 19,716 hectares of vegetation. However, it’s possible not all of this burned, and islands of unburned vegetation persist within the broad fire boundary. Our estimation includes 10,419 hectares of temperate rainforest (10% of the fire area) and 462 hectares of alpine vegetation (0.45% of the fire area). Neither of these vegetation types can readily tolerate fire. Our analysis suggests about half of fire-affected rainforest areas have been previously burned by fires since 1982 (48%) and some small areas have burned twice (5%). Recurrent fires in rainforest can result in permanent loss of this vegetation. Just how much damage has been done will require further assessment. The number of fires ignited by lightning have increased in Tasmania since the 1990s. When the lightning occurs in storms without much rain, or where the rain evaporates before it hits the ground, it’s known as dry lightning. Concerningly, in the last decade two other major dry lightning fire events have occurred, likely a signal of a change in fire activity. As a result, fires are burning into areas that historically are rarely affected by fire, damaging the natural values of the Tasmanian wilderness. Going into summer, experts were concerned that soils across western Tasmania were particularly dry. This increased the fire risk in the seasonal outlook. The recent rapid-fire growth in Tasmania was caused by the unusual combination of regional drying (including dry soils), an extreme lightning storm and subsequent strong winds. But the sequence of events that caused this fire to take off could not have been predicted more than a week ahead. That’s because it is impossible to predict lightning and windstorms outside the seven-day window of weather forecasts. What’s more, our research shows it is currently not possible to reliably predict which lightning strikes will start fire. Massive lightning storms that ignite multiple fires overwhelm the capacity of firefighters to locate and immediately extinguish all the flames. Unfavourable weather conditions caused the west coast fires to rapidly grow. Firefighting shifted from attempts to extinguish the fire to instead contain its spread. This involved techniques such as targeted waterbombing, back burning and building fire breaks. These approaches have been successful in some cases, notably the deployment of retardant drops to contain the Canning Peak fire, saving extensive stands of conifer rainforest. But suppression efforts were imperfect, as the loss of a private tourist facility hut on the Overland Track has demonstrated. Managing these massive fires demands triage – making difficult choices about where to direct firefighting effort. Effective triage requires a detailed understanding of the location of areas of high economic, cultural and environmental value. High-quality mapping of these sites and involvement of specialists in the broader decision-making process is essential. The Tasmanian government does have maps and expertise to guide triage, but there are calls for more investment to protect the region’s ecological values. This is particularly important for small, localised sites vulnerable to fire, such as groves of ancient Huon pine. Dry lightning storms are hard to predict, extraordinarily difficult to contain, and can cause substantial economic, social and environmental harms. Technology alone – such as that which combines satellites, artificial intelligence, drones and water bombers – is not enough to eliminate these fires. What’s needed is a diverse portfolio of approaches, involving a combination of: reducing fuel loads by prescribed burning firefighting that is carefully targeted using high quality data expertise embedded in firefighting teams. Researchers and fire managers must also identify the best strategies for prescribed burning to reduce bushfire risk while protecting areas of high economic, conservation and cultural value. Climate change will bring more frequent monster fires and fighting them demands a broad suite of investment. David Bowman, University of Tasmania and Grant Williamson, University of Tasmania. This article was first published in The Conversation

A pioneering drone seeding initiative in south-west England – one of the largest of its kind using native tree seeds to date – has the potential to transform rainforest restoration, say those involved. Source: Positive.news The project, by the Woodland Trust, has seen high-tech drones scatter 75,000 seeds across the Bodmin landscape in Cornwall. The drones, which weigh 110kg and can carry up to 58kg of seeds each, hover a few metres above the ground and can access areas where the planting of trees by hand isn’t feasible. Joining forces with the South West Rainforest Alliance, the Woodland Trust aims to use the technique to triple the land area of temperate rainforest across Cornwall and Dev-on from 8% to 24% by 2050. Three-quarters of Devon and Cornwall was once rainforest, but 90% of this has now been lost. “These are among the most threatened ecosystems on Earth,” explained Sam Manning, project officer for south west rainforests at the Woodland Trust. “They are biodiversity hotspots, home to more than 2,000 species of lichen. Sadly, rainforests cover just 1% of the Earth’s land surface, and we are one of only a small handful of rainforest nations left on Earth.” Restoring and expanding our temperate rainforests could prove vital in tackling the climate and biodiversity crises, Manning said. A key part of that is developing ways to create and expand woodland that are faster, cheaper and that reach sites that are in-accessible or unsafe for human tree planters, or patches where soils are too thin to al-low planting with spades. There are various potential benefits to using drones in place of volunteers, exponents say, including their speed and cost, as well as the improved accessibility. “Many potential woodland creation sites are either too steep, unsafe or remote for people to plant or scatter seeds,” said Manning. Scattering tree seeds that are native to these rainforests, including common oak, alder, wild cherry, downy birch and hazel, the drones seeded 11 hectares of land in eight hours. But there are limitations to the technique, including weather making the intervention less possible or effective, and low seed survival rates. Research shows that a large pro-portion of seeds dropped by drones are unlikely to survive due to poor soil conditions, predation or due to the environments being unsuitable. To explore such concerns, the project has developed control areas across the sites, to compare drone seeding and natural rainforest regeneration. With an aim to revisit all trial sites at various points over the next three years, the Woodland Trust will review the rate of seed germination and how the planted trees are developing. “We hope to see a success rate of seed to tree of at least 25% for this trial, which in turn could inspire practitioners and funders to invest time and money into refining the effectiveness of drones for woodland creation,” said Manning. There are other challenges associated with a project of such scale, with a limited sup-ply chain of tree seeds to meet the vast areas involved, and only a handful of companies with legal permission to operate drones in this way, though this is swiftly evolving. “We hope increasing demand for this kind of product will lead to an increasing supply chain and could revolutionise woodland creation,” said Manning. There has never been a better time to remember that we are a rainforest people who live on a rainforest island Up to 20% of the British Isles was once rainforest, but due to deforestation across the uplands, this has now been reduced to less than 1% of its original range. Merlin Hanbury-Tenison, author of Our Oaken Bones, a book exploring rainforests, owns part of the land where the seeding has taken place. “If we’re to reverse this destruction, then we will need to leverage innovative technology-enabled solutions wherever possible. I cannot think of a better example of this than the drone seeding project that the Woodland Trust has embarked on in the Cabilla Valley,” he said. “There has never been a better time to remember that we are a rainforest people who live on a rainforest island.”

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) welcomes the successful conclusion of the resumed UN Biodiversity Conference (COP16.2) in Rome, which has delivered crucial agreements on resource mobilization and the financial mechanisms to implement it.  Source: Timberbiz With the focus now shifting to implementation, delegates also adopted other pending decisions to help advance the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), including mechanisms for planning, monitoring, reporting, and reviewing. For the first time in biodiversity negotiations, countries have agreed to a text specifically on tracking their own progress, including the way that the indicators will be measured and used. This will ensure that all Parties are tracking progress in a way that can be interpreted by national policymakers and provide data that can be aggregated up to the global level to provide an integral picture of implementation for the KMGBF. FSC welcomes the outcomes of the Rome meeting, particularly the decisions made on biodiversity monitoring and reporting. As a mission-based market influencer, FSC is pleased to see the increasing recognition of the role of the market, for example in Target 15, which requires governments “to set legal, administrative, or policy measures” to encourage and enable the private sector to monitor, assess, and transparently disclose their risks, dependencies and impacts on biodiversity. This is an important step in tackling the biodiversity challenge we still face, and we look forward to helping the business sector relying on forests to understand their forest biodiversity impacts better and take necessary actions to move their businesses towards creating a forest-positive world. For companies using FSC certification, it already provides robust tools to collect data, make verifiable claims, and find markets that bring additional financial value to the protection and maintenance of critical ecosystem services. These tools empower foresters and businesses across consumer and investment value chains to demonstrate their sustainability efforts and comply with other sustainability reporting and disclosure frameworks, such as the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD). “For over 30 years, FSC has promoted sustainable forest management practices that enable forest stewards to conserve, improve, restore essential ecosystem services including biodiversity,” said FSC Director General, Subhra Bhattacharjee. “The decisions taken in Rome validate our approach and create new opportunities for the forest sector to demonstrate leadership in climate action.” The outcomes of COP16.2 create momentum for forest-dependent businesses to strengthen their commitment to nature by certifying their forest management operations, deforestation-free supply chains, and investing in biodiversity conservation and restoration initiatives. Business action is essential to achieving all targets and goals of the KMGBF. FSC certification offers a strong, ready-to-use framework to support these efforts to-wards 2030. As we approach the Climate COP30 in 2025, FSC remains committed to working with businesses, governments, and civil society to accelerate the transition to forest stewardship. By choosing FSC, companies contribute to achieving the goals of the KMGBF and building resilience in their operations while meeting growing stakeholder expectations for environmental and social responsibility.

The Arbor Day Foundation and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) recognized 210 communities as 2024 Tree Cities of the World. Source: Timberbiz The joint program contributes to FAO’s Green Cities initiative, which is designed to strengthen green infrastructure in both urban and rural communities. This year marks the largest number of cities ever honoured since the Tree Cities of the World program began in 2018, celebrating cities and towns that leverage urban forestry to enhance the liveability and sustainability of their local area. “The cities recognized for 2024 are leading by example in providing green spaces and infrastructure that help define a sense of place and well-being where people live, work, play and learn,” said Zhimin Wu, Director of FAO’s Forestry Division. “When properly planned, green spaces and infrastructure can mitigate the risk of natural disasters, contribute to climate change adaptation strategies, enhance social cohesion and make cities safer and more resilient.” Sophie Plitt, program manager at the Arbor Day Foundation said: “Tree Cities of the World is more than a recognition program. It’s a rapidly growing global movement, transforming how communities view and value their urban forest. It goes beyond borders, connecting passionate organizers and tireless tree planters, and uniting them under the shared mission of making our world’s communities healthier places to live. “This record-breaking 2024 class is a testament to the power of trees in every corner of the world and we’re excited to honour these cities and their important work.” This year’s 210 Tree Cities of the World represent 24 countries and six continents. The Tree Cities of the World program includes communities ranging in population size from 1,500 to 12 million people. Globally, more than 134 million people live in Tree Cities of the World, speaking 37 major languages. By gaining recognition through the program, many municipalities have garnered increased funding for community forest management, access to a unique global network of urban forestry professionals, and greater local support for canopy growth. “In 2024, the City of Toronto planted over 130,000 trees, managed over 1,000 hectares of natural area parkland, and made significant strides to achieve equitable distribution of the urban forest across our diverse city,” said Teresa Bosco, Manager of Forest Policy and Planning for Toronto, Canada. “We are thrilled to be part of a growing global network of cities recognized for their dedication to building strong and resilient urban forests and being leaders in stewardship, resource allocation, and innovation.” To earn Tree Cities of the World recognition, a city must uphold five core standards: establish responsibility for the care of trees; enact a law or policy that governs the management of trees and forests; maintain an updated assessment of local tree resources; allocate resources for a tree management plan; and hold an annual celebration of trees to educate local residents. Click here to see a full list of the recognized 2024 Tree Cities of the World. https://treecitiesoftheworld.org/directory.cfm

Professor John Ralph has joined Scion as its newest Emeritus Scientist. Having retired from his full-time role as a Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Mr Ralph joins Scion to advance the bioeconomy through his pioneering work in sustainable forestry and lignin research. Source: Timberbiz His efforts will bolster New Zealand’s leadership in fossil-free resource innovation. Mr Ralph’s 43-year career began at New Zealand Forest Research Institute (now Scion) in1974 and centres on what he calls the “unrivaled role of chemistry in unlocking lignin’s secrets.” A plant cell wall science innovator, he has developed advanced NMR methods and redesigned lignins for better biomass processing. His work earned him the 2024 Marcus Wallenberg Prize from the King of Sweden for advancing lignin understanding. The Marcus Wallenberg Prize is a prestigious international award often referred to as the “Nobel Prize of Forestry.” He has advised global bioenergy leaders, including the US Department of Energy’s Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Centre and the British Royal Society. Mr Ralph holds a B.Sc. (Hons) in Chemistry from Canterbury University, New Zealand (1976), and a PhD in Chemistry and Forestry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (1982). His current research at Scion’s NMR Suite explores lignin biosynthesis and valorization, enhancing biofuel and bioproduct efficiency, supported by collaborators like the US Department of Energy and Swiss National Fund. On his recent visit to Rotorua, he explored our newly upgraded NMR facility and toured the campus to engage with key members of our science team, including Stefan Hill, Florian Graichen, and Marie Joo Le Guen. Mr Ralph was clearly impressed by the new suite, describing it as “one of the most beautiful labs” he’s seen for NMR. His passion for advanced analytical chemistry shone through and he encouraged everyone with an interest in chemistry to engage with the new facility, “anyone who knows any chemistry should have NMR as part of their arsenal.”

The urgent need for social and affordable housing in Australia is undeniable. The global call for responsible sourcing and source disclosure is equally pressing, driven by Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations. Source: Timberbiz These two critical challenges intersect in the innovative use of timber construction, a topic explored in depth at the recent WoodSolutions webinar, “Innovative Timber Construction Solutions for Social and Affordable Housing.” Responsible Wood was proud to be a part of this important conversation with our Sustainability Manager, Matt de Jongh, who contributed expertise on responsible procurement and certification’s role in contributing to ESG. The webinar showcased the Haven Home Safe (HHS) project in Horsham, Victoria, a 25-home development built using modular, carbon-storing, and low embodied emission timber construction. This project is a great example of how combining prefabricated de-sign, responsible sourcing, and energy-efficient solutions can deliver impactful housing outcomes that address social needs and environmental responsibility. The webinar also offered valuable insights for the building professionals, architects, engineers, developers, and builders in attendance. Participants gained insights into how modular timber construction can accelerate project timelines while also lowering car-bon footprints and minimising construction waste. Attendees were provided practical strategies for integrating prefabricated design to achieve impressive seven-star NatHERS energy ratings. A key focus of the discussion was the role of certified wood procurement in aligning with ESG principles. Matt de Jongh highlighted Responsible Wood’s commitment to ensuring that timber used in projects like the HHS development comes from sustainably managed forests. Matt emphasised the benefits of choosing certified timber, including its positive biodiversity impacts. In addition, Matt spoke to the advantages of supporting local communities and timber product manufacturing, emphasising the positive environmental and social impacts this has on communities. The Horsham project’s carbon emissions study, presented by Jack Haber from HHS, demonstrated the clear advantages of using timber framing for this project, over alternative materials like steel and concrete. This data underscores the potential of timber construction to contribute significantly to reducing the built environment’s carbon footprint. Craig Chatman from ARKit further explored the importance of offsite prefabrication in delivering high-quality housing solutions efficiently, particularly for organisations like HHS. The webinar topics broadly highlighted the interconnectedness of ESG issues. Social responsibility is addressed through the provision of much-needed affordable housing. Environmental sustainability is achieved through the use of renewable, carbon-storing timber and energy-efficient designs. Good governance is ensured by adhering to re-sponsible sourcing practices and transparent reporting. The use of certified timber, as championed by Responsible Wood, is essential for realising the full potential of sustainable construction. It provides assurance that the wood used in these projects is sourced from forests managed according to strict environmental, social, and economic criteria. This commitment to responsible forestry practices is a key component of a truly sustainable built environment. For more information about Responsible Wood certification and its role in sustainable construction, please contact Responsible Wood. You can also access resources from the WoodSolutions webinar, including technical guides, webinars, and the Timber Talks podcast, by visiting their website. View modular timber construction solutions for affordable housing in Australia at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0dxA7Oj5wg&t=2s

The State Government in Victoria has been criticised in State Parliament over what is being seen as frustrating delays to new CFA volunteer recruitment training. Source: Timberbiz The Nationals’ Melina Bath told parliament the Government needed to expedite the ‘General Firefighter’ training course which was being delayed by many months in some areas. “New CFA recruits build capacity in Victoria’s emergency services system and our regional communities desperately need them,” Ms Bath said. “Delaying training by up to five months is unacceptable – it is hard enough to attract new members, clearing volunteers for operational roles must be faster than half a year. “In eastern Victoria the landscape is incredibly dry and the bushfire risk leading into easter remains high. “The Allan Government should not be delaying this critical training – it is essential new volunteers are upskilled to be on the fireground not cooling their heels on the sidelines.” Ms Bath said the survival of regional Victorian communities was intrinsically linked to CFA volunteers who provided a surge capacity workforce. She said that for over a decade Labor had disrespected CFA volunteers. “Many local brigades are struggling with not fit for purpose, substandard facilities and outdated equipment including firefighting trucks that are well past their used by date,” she said. “Labor must engage new trainers and offer more courses to ensure our new recruits are active in their local brigade ready to serve their community.”

The Birpai and Bunyah Local Aboriginal Land councils are working with Forestry Corporation to bring together knowledge of cultural burning with government bushfire management. Source: Timberbiz A fire training camp will be held at Guulabaa – Place of Koala in Cowarra State Forest near Wauchope made possible through Fire, Country and People, a three-year Australian Government-funded project. Fire and incident management specialists Fireground will provide the accredited fire-fighting training to members of the Wauchope and Port Macquarie Aboriginal communities from Monday, 17 March 17 to Thursday, 20 March. Forestry Corporation’s Aboriginal Heritage and Partnerships Manager John Shipp said the fire training will provide participants skills and qualifications in firefighting. “This program creates an opportunity for the Birpai and Bunyah communities to work with government agencies to develop a path forward for effective and sustainable bushfire management combining traditional cultural burning and modern firefighting techniques,” Mr Shipp said. “This will improve the resilience of the community to major bushfires. “The use of fire in the environment is only one aspect of the community’s land management experience which has existed for sixty-odd thousand years,” he said. Fire, Country and People will also help to build the scientific evidence base behind cultural burning. A research program will look to understand the effect that traditional Aboriginal fire practices have on the intensity and extent of bushfires. The $3-million Fire, Country and People: Aboriginal Community Disaster Ready Project has received funding from the Australian Government and is jointly funded by Forestry Corporation.  

Signing of a new Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) for forestry between New Zealand and India as part of the Prime Minister’s delegation visit to India this week has been welcomed by the Wood Processors and Manufacturers Association of NZ. Source: Timberbiz “As we look at rebuilding our forestry exports to India, it is important that we develop strong relationships with key Indian agencies,” Mark Ross, Chief Executive of the WPMA said. “Connecting on values and demonstrating a clear focus on mutually beneficial areas of interest will be critical to the Indian Government opening the door to a longer-term trading relationship in forestry products, such as timber and lumber, with New Zealand.” In contrast to what should be happening, New Zealand wood and forest product exports to India have decreased from a high of NZ$326 million in 2019 to an estimated NZ$76.5 million in 2024. Although export opportunities remain for a range of timber and lumber products, the bulk of the export volume and receipts have previously been driven by India’s demand for New Zealand logs. “With a recent ruling from the Indian government stipulating that federal housing schemes include ‘a greater mix’ of wood, there are new opportunities opening, for example, in the Indian residential market for our sustainable wood products,” Mr Ross said. “Under brand New Zealand we have a leading story to tell as to the value our timber and lumber products have in addressing climate change and sustainability challenges, which reflects the direction of the Indian government”. The MOC lays the groundwork for co-operation on areas such as sustainable forest management, research and innovation, capacity building, and certification.  

Victoria’s State Government has been asked what it has done to address the pending firewood supply shortage this winter. Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, has accused Environment Minister, Steve Dimopoulos of doing nothing, despite being warned 12 months ago of the predicament. Source: Timberbiz “There are a range of issues that need to be addressed as a result of the cessation of the timber industry, which was the major supplier of domestic firewood. “We barely had enough to get through last winter and commercial suppliers are now importing it from interstate, if they can get it, and the price has sky-rocketed to be unaffordable to low-income households. “The recently opened public collection areas contain nowhere near enough wood to meet demand, but even so, there are many who cannot collect their own including the disabled, frail and elderly. “They have relied on commercial suppliers who now can no longer get it off the timber industry. When they can access it interstate, the increased haulage costs have seen prices skyrocket to unaffordable levels,” he said. “When I raised this over 12 months ago, the Minister’s office simply said collection seasons will continue for the public. It is a Minister and a Government that has no idea about this issue and does not seek to understand. “Sadly, it will likely result in high numbers of illegal collecting as families strive to keep warm. “The one thing we should never be short of in Victoria is firewood, especially in East Gippsland, but this Government has managed to achieve it. “With winter only months away, I have asked the Minister to open up more public collection areas and make resource available to commercial operators in this state. “Because they have done nothing, even timber cut now will be too green for this winter, but they can put some plans in place for next year. “I encourage locals to think ahead and stockpile as much as they can,” he said.

The Australian Forest Products Association has launched the next stages of its 2025 Federal Election Campaign following the release of its comprehensive Australian Timber – Australia’s Future Election Policy Platform in February. Source: Timberbiz “The AFPA team has been busy promoting our Platform, which includes key policy and funding requests, to policy and decision makers across all sides of federal politics over the past few weeks,’’ AFPA Chief Executive Officer, Diana Hallam said. ‘’It’s now time to launch the next stages of our campaign to support our Platform,” Ms Hallam said. February’s launch was aimed at illustrating the role Australian timber can play addressing the current housing crisis and supplying our nation’s future housing needs, the importance of securing the future of Australian grown and recycled timber and woodfibre to enhance our sovereign capability and promoting healthy and sustainable native and plantation forestry to provide Australians with the timber they need and fight climate change. This week’s launch included: forestfacts.com.au – a new website dedicated to countering the disinformation being irresponsibly spread about the forestry sector. New Billboards to support the campaign in key forestry battleground electorates, including in Tasmania. “There is a huge amount of disinformation being spread by activists about Australia’s sustainable and world leading forestry sector,’’ Ms Hallam said. “The idea behind forestfacts.com.au is that people interested in the truth about how Australian forestry operates can have somewhere to go to have myths dispelled and find further scientific information, as well as a basic overview of industry. “The Billboards running ahead of the Federal Election show the importance of the timber and forestry industry for homes. They have been placed in strategic locations to maximise public and political awareness of the importance of the full supply chain of Australia’s forestry sector. “AFPA will continue to execute our Federal Election campaign ahead of polling day and work to get all sides of federal politics committed to our Platform.”