Global Forest Information Service News Feed in English

Identifying markers for a sustainable plantation industry

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 14:00:00 GMT

In a discovery that will substantially improve the productivity and sustainability of plantation forestry, CSIRO scientists have identified a method to increase pulp yield and growth rate in eucalypts.

UPM selected to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 09:53:00 GMT

The DJSI follow a best-in-class approach and include sustainability leaders from each industry on a global and regional level respectively.

First young wood architecture award to Sanna Jokimäki

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 09:22:00 GMT

The Young Spirit of Nature Wood Architecture Award, now distributed for the first time, is granted for an architectural Master’s thesis in which timber holds a central role.

Gold for the Libresse voice battle

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 09:14:00 GMT

The "Make Your Voice Heard" campaign for SCA's feminine care brand Libresse wins gold in international communications competition for giving girls and young women the confidence to express their feelings.

UPM selected to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 04:00:00 GMT

UPM has been selected as an index component for the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for 2010-2011. The DJSI follow a best-in-class approach and include sustainability leaders from each industry on a global and regional level respectively. UPM was chosen both to the European and Global Sustainability Index. The annual review of the DJSI is based on a thorough analysis of corporate economic, environmental and social performance, assessing issues such as climate change mitigation, supply chain standards, labour practices, corporate governance and risk management. "UPM's selection to the DJSI is a great recognition for UPM's Biofore strategy. Continuous improvement of our environmental, social and financial performance is a key driver for UPM. It is very positive that stakeholders recognise our commitment", says Marko Janhunen, Director Corporate Responsibility & Public Affairs. As the Biofore Company, UPM is shaping the new forest industry by leading the way into a new, innovation-driven and sustainable bio-economy. The company is strongly committed to continuous improvement in economic, social and environmental performance while always aiming for a long term sustainable future based on profitability and value creation from sustainable products. The Corporate Responsibility Principles that were published in 2010 support the company's strategy and vision as the Biofore Company. Principles are available on corporate web site: www.upm.com/en/about_upm/responsibility/principles.

AkzoNobel tops Dow Jones Sustainability World Index

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 04:00:00 GMT

AkzoNobel has cemented its position as a global sustainability leader after being ranked in first place in the Chemicals supersector on the prestigious Dow Jones Sustainability World Indexes (DJSI) The latest listing reveals that AkzoNobel achieved the highest total score in the sector and improved on last year's second place. The company was also ranked in the top three in 2008 and 2007 (when AkzoNobel last topped the list). "Our first place ranking, coupled with our consistent performance over the last few years, is clear evidence of how successfully sustainability is being integrated into our global operations," said CEO Hans Wijers, who also acknowledged the contribution made by the company's employees around the world. "We are fully aware that the future success of our customers and our own business activities is inextricably linked to the effectiveness of our sustainability efforts. We therefore refuse to let our standards slip and will continue to strive for improvement in all areas in order to maintain our leadership status." Listed on the DJSI for the last six years, AkzoNobel has been relentless in reinforcing its commitment to sustainability, emphasized by the company's decision to link 50 percent of the long-term incentive for its senior executives to the performance on the influential ranking. Regarded as one of the world's foremost sustainability indices, the DJSI World Index benchmarks the sustainability performance of leading companies based on environmental, social and economic performance, including forward-looking indicators.

The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) launches Local and Regional Policy Makers report

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Factoring in the planet's multi-trillion dollar ecosystem services into policy-making can help save cities and regional authorities' money while boosting the local economy, enhancing quality of life, securing livelihoods and generating employment

Howe Sound Pulp and Paper receives $36.7 million

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 23:18:00 GMT

The Government of Canada is investing in the Howe Sound Pulp and Paper Limited Partnership to improve the company’s environmental performance and help to drive the evolution of Canada’s forest sector, the Honourable Stockwell Day, President of the Treasury Board of Canada and Minister for the Asia–Pacific Gateway, announced today.

Located in Port Mellon, B.C., the Howe Sound Pulp and Paper mill will receive $36.7 million in funding under the Pulp and Paper Green Transformation Program to invest in technology that will improve the energy efficiency of the mill’s boiler. Through a series of adjustments, the mill will be able to operate the boiler at full power and increase its capacity to burn wood waste.

These modifications to the power boiler will result in more than 127,000 additional mega-watt hours of renewable electricity a year — enough green power for 10,654 homes. This increase will revolutionize the mill’s current business model, as it will be able to sell its surplus of renewable energy to BC Hydro.

“This investment will position Howe Sound Pulp and Paper at the forefront of clean energy production from wood biomass in British Columbia,” said Minister Day. “The Green Transformation Program is helping to drive the renewal of the country’s pulp and paper sector by supporting smart investments that enhance a mill’s energy efficiency and the production of renewable energy.”

The refurbished boiler will also reduce natural gas consumption by 6.5 million cubic metres a year and significantly reduce the mill’s greenhouse gas emissions by 12,000 tonnes per year — the equivalent volume of emissions released by more than 3,000 cars annually.

“As a result of this investment in our boiler, we will become one of the largest independent producers of renewable electricity in British Columbia,” said Mac Palmiere, President and Chief Executive Officer of Howe Sound Pulp and Paper. “The addition of this third product line will enhance the mill’s future viability and help to secure the jobs that depend on our success. The Green Transformation Program has provided us with this opportunity and enabled us to transform our business.”

Today’s PPGTP project announcement is the second one this year for Howe Sound Pulp and Paper and represents a major step toward diversifying the company’s product line to include clean energy. Excess energy will be sold to the grid through a purchase agreement with BC Hydro.

“On behalf of the Province of British Columbia, I would like to commend Howe Sound Pulp and Paper for taking the necessary steps to become a clean energy generator and the Government of Canada for its continuing constructive partnership with B.C.,” said Bill Bennett, B.C. Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. “Their leadership will give B.C. more clean power, save energy and provide much needed investment in the regional economy.”

Howe Sound Pulp and Paper is one of 24 pulp and paper companies across Canada that qualified for credits under the $1-billion program, based on their 2009 production levels of black liquor, a liquid by-product of the pulping process used to generate heat and power.

The Pulp and Paper Green Transformation Program complements initiatives that are being delivered under Canada’s Economic Action Plan to sustain and improve the forest industry in Canada. Budget 2010: Leading the Way on Jobs and Growth established the $100-million Investments in Forest Industry Transformation program to promote the development, commercialization and implementation of advanced technologies in the forest sector — helping create a world-class industry able to compete in the clean energy economy of tomorrow.

In addition, the Government of Canada has committed $170 million to assist the development of next-generation forest products and expand global markets for Canadian forest products. This funding includes $40 million to develop pilot-scale demonstrations under the Transformative Technologies Program.

Source: Government of Canada

Posted by ForestTalk.com

Nova Scotia Power wants to keep its biomass analysis private

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 23:01:00 GMT

Tomorrow, a hearing will reconvene in Nova Scotia over Nova Scotia Power's request to spend $208 million to build a wood burning power generating plant with NewPage Port Hawkesbury.

This hearing concerning the biomass project began in July, but was halted by the regulator's board chairman who said a decision was not possible until the board was able to accurately compare the biomass project with the other renewable energy proposals the power company had solicited.

But Nova Scotia Power does not want to disclose the project analysis that was prepared by Deloitte & Touche.

Nova Scotia Power does not want to share with the public how the biomass project compares to other renewable power projects. They have declared 22 of their 61 exhibits for the hearing as confidential.

Government regulators have now ordered Nova Scotia Power to submit a redacted version of the document.

In its decision on the use of confidential documents, "board decisions must contain sufficient information so that a reader can clearly understand how the board reached its decision," the board wrote.

It also said the public and the media should have maximum access to evidence filed by the power company when it comes before the board for approval of power rates and capital expenditures.

Source:
Partial disclosure - Review board orders NSP to produce more information about biomass project (Chronicle Herald)
Biomass rationale a secret - NSP won’t release renewable energy analysis that led to project (Chronicle Herald)

Posted by ForestTalk.com

Boise Inc. to Present at UBS Global Paper and Forest Products Conference

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 22:44:00 GMT

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