March 21st is World Forestry Day – a day celebrated around the world by foresters and the forestry industry. It is an occasion to celebrate the many benefits of sustainable forestry and its contribution towards addressing emerging global issues, particularly climate change. For Australia’s forest industry, World Forestry Day is an opportunity to highlight the sustainable nature of the industry and the climate friendly benefits it can deliver through its carbon positive forests and wood products.
As part of World Forestry Day, the National Association of Forest Industries (NAFI) has produced a new publication, Forests and Wood Products: Playing a key role in Australia’s Sustainable Future. The publication demonstrates the advantages of sustainable forestry – Australia’s only truly carbon positive industry.
NAFI CEO, Catherine Murphy, says “Australia’s forest industry has gone to significant lengths to ensure that all of its activities meet world leading standards of sustainability. As a result we currently have a prosperous long term industry which has the ability to deliver on a number of environmental solutions.
“As major carbon stores, forests and wood products play a significant role in addressing the challenges posed by climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Ensuring due recognition of the greenhouse benefits of forests and wood products is a key priority for Australia’s forest industry in Australia’s development of policy on climate change and emissions trading,” said Mrs Murphy.
“Importantly, a sustainably managed and commercially productive working forest can maximise environmental outcomes and meet many of the challenges of climate change. With greater public awareness and supportive policy frameworks, the forest industry has enormous potential as Australia’s leading eco-friendly industry,” Mrs Murphy said.
NAFI’s new publication describes the benefits of Australia’s forests and wood products as an environmentally sustainable solution for Australia’s future.