In 2022, Australia’s Government set emissions reduction targets aiming for a 43% emission cut by 2030 (from 2005 levels) and net-zero emissions by 2050. To reach these goals, every industry must play its part and make significant contributions to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. Source: Timberbiz
Forest & Wood Products Australia (FWPA) is leading this charge for the industry by releasing three new carbon guides that serve as a source of knowledge, deftly extending the understanding of the role forest and wood products can play in the carbon economy.
Forests are a significant actor in the global carbon cycle and continue to play a key role in how we address the changing climate. As we work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the resource-rich forest and wood products industry continues to emerge as a key player that can bolster the ongoing effort through the timber building materials produced from sustainably managed forests.
Amidst the building sector’s drive towards decarbonization and the growing influence of emissions in forestry, plantation management, and material selection for construction, this trilogy of documents by FWPA explains key carbon-related terms spanning the lifecycle of wood products and the buildings they go into.
Success in hitting emissions reduction targets hinges on collaboration. The forest and wood products industry must align with the growing carbon-consciousness of the construction sector, understanding concepts and frameworks, engaging with initiatives and advocacy opportunities, and exploring incentives that highlight why timber stands out as a low-carbon alternative that can effectively contribute to Australia’s sustainable built environment.
FWPA’s Carbon Guides have been created in collaboration with Thinkstep ANZ and Senior Research Scientist, Dr Fabiano Ximines.
The guides shed light on the multifaceted impact of plantations, commercial forests, and the resulting wood products on Australia’s carbon balance.
Notably, the guides illustrate not only the widely acknowledged carbon sequestration capabilities of forests but also the often-underestimated role that wood, both during its service life and after disposal, plays in carbon storage.
These new FWPA-funded Carbon Guides provide industry stakeholders with the knowledge necessary to steer towards a sustainable future, playing a pivotal role in the carbon dialogue and positioning the industry to shape a future where timber assumes a vital role in curbing carbon emissions and driving sustainable growth.
Access the first two guides in the series at https://fwpa.com.au/resources/
