Innovation in the Canadian forest sector and adapting to climate change are matters of “national importance”, according to a report from the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers (CCFM).
The draft version of A Vision for Canada’s Forests 2008 and Beyond pinpoints the two issues as key drivers in the future of the Canadian forest sector, with both having the “potential to affect every aspect of out forests”.
CCFM says that innovation needs to include more than “reinventing the wood products business”, and must take the form of research and development into new technologies, products and practices; building relationships with other sectors of the economy; increasing the passage of information between industries; encouraging non-traditional sectors, such as biochemicals and pharmaceuticals, to interact with the forest sector; providing adequate training and education programmes to create a knowledge-based workforce; and encouraging recruitment and retention of students.
In order to mitigate and adapt to climate change; the report notes that the sector needs to identify and address knowledge gaps; facilitate the application of best practice techniques; and carry out more research into the methods and practices of overcoming climate change, such as assessment techniques and the capacity for policy development and implementation.
“This a time of change and opportunity for Canada’s forests and forest sector,” the report said.
“Structural changes and global climate change present unprecedented opportunities for innovation.”
The final version of the report is due for release in September. Canadian stakeholders are invited to submit their view on the report by May 16 by emailing 2008strategy@ccfm.org.
