News Environment & Sustainability Forestry
FPAC issues statement on importance of COP26 global deforestation pledge

The Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) issued a statement on Nov. 2, to recognize Canada’s leadership role in joining over 100 other countries to sign the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use to end global deforestation.

The association stated that Canada’s forest sector and its workers have been committed to climate action for a long time. It is one of the sectors that supported The Kyoto Protocol in the late 1990s. In 2016, Canada’s forest sector announced an action plan to help meet Canada’s commitments under The Paris Agreement. FPAC stated that it will play a leading role in helping Canada advance climate action and secure a net-zero carbon economy by 2050.

In its statement, FPAC recognized the importance of the global pledge signed on Nov. 2 to advance climate action, end global deforestation and promote sustainable sourcing. FPAC noted that Canada is well-positioned to be a leader in contributing to these international goals for two main reasons. The country’s forestry laws and regulations are among the strictest in the world and Canadian foresters are committed to keeping the forests as forests forever.

Canada has retained 90 percent of its original forest cover and its national deforestation rate is among the lowest in the world – 0.01 percent in 2018. The majority of this is from non-forestry resource industries, urban development and agricultural lands development.

The Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use emphasizes sustainable production and consumption. Canada can offer leadership on the world stage in this area as well.

Home to nine percent of the world’s forests, Canada has 36 percent of the world’s independent, third-party audited and certified forests.

FPAC stated that it is hopeful that this Declaration will support the expansion of forest certification to promote sustainably managed forests, encourage responsible consumption worldwide and help advance the collective fight against climate change.