21 December 2007
Crown Research Institute Scion has been awarded a Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry contract to measure the carbon footprint of the entire New Zealand forestry industry supply chain.
The year-long project, due to start in February 2008, will analyse GHG emissions from initial forest plantings and management, through the timber manufacturing and distribution stages. It will also incorporate end-of-life scenarios where carbon is potentially released back into the atmosphere.
Scion chief executive, Dr Tom Richardson says the project is both a great achievement and recognition of the organisation's existing success in the field of LCA. "The forestry industry as a whole can now capitalise on our capabilities and international expertise in this field and use it to impact on their bottom line. The ability to give end-users clear information on the 'greenness' of products will give organisations a global competitive advantage in what has become an increasingly tight market.
"Many of New Zealand's key international timber markets are putting increasing pressure on suppliers to provide details on GHG intensity throughout product life-cycles. For example, Japan has established a "wood miles" forum to raise awareness on the energy consumed for imported timber transportation."
The research will be undertaken in collaboration with a number of industry partners including the Wood Processors Association. Through their participation, a series of case studies will be developed to provide the methodology for measurement across a range of timber products, such as particleboard, timber weatherboard and rough-sawn timber.
The case studies will provide the foundation for an industry-wide management strategy to enable other key forestry stakeholders to benefit from the research and apply approaches within their own organisations.
Wood Processors Association CEO Peter Bodeker says the project will give the industry an advantage over global competitors.
TABMA Appoints New CEO
The Timber and Building Materials Association NSW (TABMA) has appointed a new chief executive.
Colin Fitzpatrick, 56, of the Gold Coast will take up the position at the TABMA (NSW) Sydney office on 4 February.
Announcing the appointment, TABMA (NSW) president Peter Hutchison said Fitzpatrick would immediately concentrate on improving the association’s operational activities, managerial effectiveness and responsiveness to the needs of members.
“In addition, he will be running the ruler over TABMA’s business units to ensure they provide relevant value-adding services for members,” Hutchison said.
Fitzpatrick has a background in large corporations and for the last eight years was managing director of paper merchant Moir Holdings. Previously he was the general manager of Victa Ltd.
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