Forests – in all forms – are essential to life on our planet. They provide clean air, water and climate regulation. As a renewable resource, forests are an important part of the solution to meeting global needs for foods, fuel, fibre, medicine and other essential products to our daily lives.

The global forest products industry is inherently renewable. ICFPA members are committed to sustainable forest management with some 300 million hectares of certified areas from which is sourced a significant amount of wood fibre used by the industry.
“By following best practices, well-managed forests of all types are a positively contribution to the provision of distinct products and services that are essential for human well-being and development. Thus our industry is helping to alleviate climate change impacts while provides social inclusion”, said ICFPA president Elizabeth de Carvalhaes.

“South Africa’s pulp and papermaking industry is built on the country’s large plantation forest industry, explains Jane Molony, executive director of the Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (PAMSA) which is represented on the ICFPA. “Our plantations are managed in a sustainable manner, which means that as one tree is felled in one part of the forest, another is planted in another area. This ensures that the supply of trees for pulp and paper making is renewed into the future.”

Molony adds that trees are the source for thousands of products – from traditional products such as timber, pulp and paper and biomass energy to liquid biofuels, biochemicals, biomaterials, nanofibres or nanocrystals of cellulose to improve products used in such applications as automobiles, aerospace, defence, etc.

ICFPA is proud to represent the contributions of the global forest products industry to sustainable development, ensuring that environmental, social and economic benefits are available to current and future generations.

The 2015 ICFPA Sustainability Progress Report highlights the industry’s improvements across a range of sustainability indicators and focuses on the industry’s contributions toward a green economy, including the reduction on Greenhouse gas emissions intensity, the uptake in certified sustainably managed forests and a high paper recycling rate.

The ICFPA represents more than 30 national and regional forest and paper associations around the world. Together, ICFPA members represent over 90 percent of global paper production and half of global wood production.

For more information about the sustainability of the global forest and paper industry, visit icfpa.org.

The post Celebrating trees on International Day of Forests 2016 first appeared on The Paper Story (PAMSA).

For centuries, forests have enabled humans to make products to improve their lives and meet their needs. Forests are renewable.  Even in today’s rapidly changing world, forestry is part of the solution to meeting global needs for food, fuel, paper, wood, medicines and other necessary products that improve quality of life for this generation and for those to come. 

ICFPA members support sustainable forest management around the world and are committed to using forest management and manufacturing practices that meet environmental, social, and economic objectives.

“Sustainable forest management is a key strategy and development opportunity,” said ICFPA President Donna Harman. “It enables our industry to leverage the multiple benefits of forests and forest products while meeting the world’s growing demand for forest fiber.”

The global forest products industry also is committed to fighting illegal logging and associated international trade in illegally harvested wood around the world. ICFPA members work with governments, environmental organizations and community groups to implement policies and laws that aim to stop the import and trade of timber that is harvested in violation of respective country laws.

Finally, the ICFPA’s 4^th Sustainability Progress Report (2013) highlights the industry’s progress on a number of key sustainability indicators including the uptake in certified sustainably managed forests, reduction in greenhouse gas emission intensity, the significant share of carbon neutral biomass energy in the fuel mix and a high paper recycling rate.

The ICFPA represents more than 30 national forest and paper associations around the world. Together, ICFPA members represent nearly 90 percent of global paper production and 60 percent of global wood production.

The Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa is one of the associations that supports the global effort to promote the sustainable management of forests and timber plantations.

For more information about the sustainability of the forest and paper industry, visit icfpa.org and www.thepaperstory.co.za.

March 20, 2014

CONTACT: Katharine Eaton

(202) 463-2436, comm@afandpa.org

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The post Global Forest and Paper Industry Celebrates International Day of Forests first appeared on The Paper Story (PAMSA).