EU debates carbon accountancy for forestry and timber sectors

Jul 09, 2012. /Lesprom Network/. The Environment Council of the European Commission has held further debate over recognition and inclusion of forestry industries in the EU climate change commitments, as the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) said in the press release received by Lesprom Network. The debates focus on establishing common greenhouse gas accounting rules as a first step toward including forestry industries - as part of the Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) sector - in the EU's climate change commitments. Specifically, it aims to increase the role this sector can play in carbon reduction activity. It recognises the role that forestry plays in carbon sequestration and the role that timber products play in long-term carbon storage. Iain McIlwee, BWF Chief Executive commented: "This is a complex technical issue, but the message is clear, it underpins that timber is a vital part of the low carbon economy. As an industry, we need to start building a more robust and easier to communicate sustainability case that ensures timber takes centre-stage as the most sustainable of all construction materials. Carbon sequestration and carbon storage are a fundamental part of this debate and should be recognised by legislators." The British Woodworking Federation is the trade association for the woodworking and joinery manufacturing industry in the UK.