Sustainability

Project aims for sustainable forest biomass in Europe

Jan. 16, 2017 - To supply the bioeconomy with sufficient biomass, access to wood resources needs to be increased, growth rates accelerated and harvesting and silvicultural operations and business models improved.

Forest biomass unfeasible for rural use: study

Jan. 3, 2017 - The cost of harvesting, transporting and processing residual forest biomass in rural communities is too high to make it a viable industry without government support, according to researchers at Oregon State University.

Europe clarifies bioenergy sustainability criteria

Dec. 2, 2016 - After years of discussions, the European Commission has now proposed legislation on sustainability criteria for all bioenergy uses. This represents a major outcome for the entire European renewables industry and for the EU’s climate and energy targets, as bioenergy represents 60 per cent of all European renewable energy consumption.

Wood fibre prices trend downward

Nov. 21, 2016 - Wood fibre prices in North America have trended downward over the past two years with prices in the third quarter of 2016 being at their lowest levels in more than two years, according to the North American Wood Fiber Review (NAWFR).

Free tool calculates wood carbon benefits

Nov. 16, 2016 -The Canadian Wood Council has updated its free Carbon Calculator tool that allows users to plug in wood building material volumes to determine carbon benefits.

Biomass opportunities in wildfire management

Oct. 3, 2016 - I have lived the majority of my life in small towns where forestry is a major player. In these towns, the forest was literally outside of the door. I am seeing growth of the interface between people and the forest.

Canada's bioeconomy needs direction

Oct. 3, 2016 - The U.S. Department of Energy has a mission when it comes to biomass: to foster, by 2040, the production of “at least one billion dry tons of biomass resources on an annual basis without adversely affecting the environment.”

NRCan forests report focuses on climate change

Sept. 26, 2016 - Natural Resources Canada annual State of Canada’s Forests Report focuses this year on climate change and how forests can be part of Canada's climate change solution.

BioFuelNet Canada responds to biofuel study

Sept. 7, 2016 - BioFuelNet Canada strongly disagrees with the findings of a recent study by Professor John DeCicco from the University of Michigan and colleagues which states that biofuels are worse than gasoline in terms of greenhouse gas emissions.

Biofuels increase CO2 emissions: study

Aug. 25, 2016 - A University of Michigan study published today claims that biofuels created from crops account for more carbon dioxide emissions than gasoline.

Suzuki on biofuel value

July 28, 2016 - Renowned environmentalist David Suzuki weighs in on the complex issue of biofuel sustainability, finding no one-size-fits-all solution.

Global warming to hurt boreal

July 25, 2016 - According to new research from the University of Arizona, boreal forests will not benefit from climate change.

Fire history can help keep forests healthy

July 5, 2016 – For nearly a century, forest fires have been viewed by scientists and the public as dangerous and environmentally damaging disasters.

SFI issues progress report

June 28, 2016 – The new Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) progress report Linking Future Forests to Communities tells the story of how responsible forestry is helping improve our shared quality of life.

Drones could plant one billion trees a year

June 23, 2016 – BioCarbon Engineering has a reforestation plan that could allow two operators flying multiple drones to plant up to 36,000 trees per day.

Biomass business case for managing wildfires

June 17, 2016 – Canadian wildfire prevention teams are constantly looking for new and innovative ways to manage wildfires with limited budgets. One speaker during the panel sessions at the International Bioenergy Conference and Exhibition in Prince George, B.C. put forth an interesting strategy that also has the potential to provide an economic stimulus for the region while servicing home heating needs for people in northern B.C.

Forests Ontario approves Climate Change Action Plan

June 9, 2016 - As Forests Ontario and our partners continue to work toward healthy, abundant, and sustainably managed forests across Ontario, we are pleased that with the official release of the Climate Change Action Plan, the government of Ontario has reaffirmed the vital role of forests and forest management in addressing the challenge of climate change.

Additional support for Fort McMurray wildfire efforts

May 30, 2016 - Nearly 300 firefighters have arrived in Edmonton from South Africa to support the current efforts to battle the massive wildfire in the area, according to a recent CBC report.

Making and measuring progress towards sustainable forest management

May 24, 2016 – International experts meeting to safeguard the future of the world’s forests have drawn up a six-point plan to strengthen collaboration on the use of criteria and indicators to guide and track progress towards the goal of sustainable forest management.

Why the Alberta forest fires are so hard to stop

Forest fires in Alberta, Canada have displaced more than 80,000 people.

May 12, 2016 - Fires are a natural part of many boreal forest ecosystems, but the massive blaze raging in Alberta, Canada is a catastrophe that threatens human health, the economy and the environment. The fire has already displaced 80,000 people—the largest fire evacuation in Canada’s history—and threatens hundreds of thousands of hectares of forest.