Forest industry remains committed to Boreal Forest Agreement
OTTAWA, Dec. 6, 2012 /CNW/ – Member companies of the Forest Products
Association of Canada (FPAC) remain committed to the promises made to
Canadians, rural communities, the environment and the marketplace under
the Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement (CBFA) and will continue to work
hard with environmental partners on its implementation.
Greenpeace has announced it has abandoned the agreement but all other
signatories remain at the table, dedicated to both the spirit and the
letter of the CBFA. The agreement is aimed at conserving both the
Boreal forest and ensuring economic prosperity while taking joint
responsibility for success.
“This historic agreement has been widely lauded around the world for
embracing a new paradigm of co-operation and it’s unfortunate that
Greenpeace has decided to walk away. However forest companies remain
committed and will continue working on implementation.” says the
President and CEO of FPAC, David Lindsay. “The CBFA is a very complex
deal with a wider scope than any other agreement ever reached anywhere
in the world. Progress has not been as fast as originally hoped but we
fully intend to keep working with conservation groups and foundations
as well as Aboriginals, communities and the federal and provincial
governments until we get it done.”
Progress under the CBFA includes: 29 million hectares of
caribou-sensitive habitat that continues to be suspended from logging;
a win-win solution in north-east Ontario that protected caribou while
increasing wood supply to support mills and communities; and a
substantial blueprint for caribou action planning at the national level
that is the most comprehensive work in this area ever reached.
Signatories are now making progress across the country to implement the
agreement: four regional groups are active in Quebec, in North-East and
North-West Ontario and in Alberta; work plans are under development in
Newfoundland, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan; Aboriginals and provincial
governments are increasingly engaged.
The Canadian forest products industry also continues to reduce its
environmental footprint on other fronts. Canada has more than 40% of
the world’s certified forests 151 million hectares undertaken by an
independent third party. Canadian mills have reduced their greenhouse
gas emissions by 25% since 2005 while emissions were going up in the
general economy. The industry has also reduced air contaminants by 44%
and water use by 30% during the same time frame. As part of Vision2020,
companies have set an ambitious goal to further reduce their
environmental footprint by 35% by the end of the decade.
“We are proud of our world-leading environmental credentials that are
well-recognized in the international marketplace,” says Lindsay.
“Other environmental groups have recognized industry for our efforts at
greening our forest practices and we invite Greenpeace to come back to
the table to work with us and others who remained committed to the
CBFA. That’s where the action is.”
FPAC provides a voice for Canada’s wood, pulp, and paper producers
nationally and internationally in government, trade, and environmental
affairs. The $57-billion-a-year forest products industry represents 2%
of Canada’s GDP and is one of Canada’s largest employers operating in
hundreds of communities and providing 230,000 direct jobs across the
country.
BACKGROUNDER
-- The Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement (CBFA) signed May 18, 2010
by 21 forest companies belonging to the Forest Products
Association of Canada (FPAC), seven environmental groups and
two foundations.
-- The CBFA is an historic agreement signifying a new era of joint
leadership in the Boreal Forest. It covers 76 million hectares
of public forests making it the largest conservation agreement
ever reached in history.
-- FPAC member companies commit to the highest environmental
standards of forest management and conservation, while
environmental organizations commit to global recognition and
support for FPAC members' efforts.
ACHIEVEMENTS
-- 29 million hectares of caribou habitat remain off limit to
harvesting.
-- Parties to the CBFA have agreed on a substantial blueprint for
caribou action planning at the national level. This is the most
comprehensive work ever reached in this area and includes joint
recommendations to the federal government on national caribou
recovery strategy and a jointly produced scientifically based
methodological framework for caribou action planning.
-- Jointly developed recommendations were delivered to multiple
provincial governments with respect to caribou action planning.
-- A win-win solution was reached in northeast Ontario that
protected caribou while increasing wood supply to support mills
and communities. It was endorsed by the province, First Nations
and local communities.
-- Four regional groups are active in Quebec, in North-East and
North-West Ontario and in Alberta.
-- Conservation plans are under development in Newfoundland,
Manitoba, and Saskatchewan.
-- Engagement with First Nations is underway right across the
country.
-- The CBFA is working collaboratively with provincial
governments for example on Land Use Framework planning in
Alberta and caribou recovery planning in Manitoba and
Saskatchewan.
-- About 120 people from coast to coast are working on
implementation.
-- About $4.5 million has been spent so far on implementation.
ONGOING EFFORTS
-- Industry has requested an increased pace of implementation with
ambitious work plans in all regions with regular reporting and
joint accountability.
-- The federal government has committed $4 million to support the
CBFA.
-- Industry has offered environmental groups $200,000 to help them
participate effectively.
-- The signatories remain dedicated to the following six goals:
o World leading forest practices
o Completion of a network of protected areas
o Recovery of endangered species
o Reduction of greenhouse gases
o Improved forest sector and community prosperity
o Recognition in the marketplace.
SOURCE FOREST PRODUCTS ASSOCIATION OF CANADA
