Forest sector applauds CCFM Forest Bioeconomy Framework

OTTAWA, Sept. 15, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - The Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) fully supports the Forest Bioeconomy Framework launched today by Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr and the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers (CCFM).

"The Forest Bioeconomy Framework builds on our sector's world-leading sustainability practices and our focus on finding environmental and economic value for every part of the tree.  It will help position Canada's forest sector as a solutions provider in our move to a lower-carbon economy," said FPAC CEO Derek Nighbor. "This framework is a significant move forward to position forestry as a key player in the bioeconomy, will support the creation of new jobs and help us meet Canada's climate change commitments," Nighbor added.

The Forest Bioeconomy Framework establishes a path that will result in a forest bioeconomy that identifies sustainable bio-based materials from healthy forests available for high added-value manufacturing. The framework highlights innovation, collaboration, and investment and opens the door to further enhancing the sustainability of the forest sector through research, innovation and strong public policy.

"Canada is steward to 10 per cent of the world's forests and Canada's forest products sector manages the most third-party certified and audited forests on the planet," said Nighbor. "By continuing to embrace world-leading environmental standards and strengthening our focus on a growing bio-economy, we have a real opportunity to support jobs ? especially in rural and northern communities - and maintain a competitive advantage in the global marketplace through responsible resource management," he added.

Canada's forest sector provides 230,000 direct and nearly 700,000 indirect jobs across the country and is also a leader in the fight against climate change. The forest sector was the first major Canadian industry to launch a comprehensive plan to reduce carbon through its 30 X 30 Climate Change Challenge which alone can help the federal government achieve 13 per cent of its carbon reduction goal by 2030 as committed at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference held in Paris.

FPAC provides a voice for Canada's wood, pulp, and paper producers nationally and internationally in government, trade, and environmental affairs. The $65-billion-a-year forest products industry represents 2 per cent of Canada's GDP and is one of Canada's largest employers operating in over 600 communities and providing 230,000 direct jobs across the country.

SOURCE Forest Products Association of Canada