Climate Change Solutions

The potential for new National Forest woodlands to produce wood for energy excited much interest at the fourth annual conference on Climate Change Solutions at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham.

The three day conference involved a large number of private, public and voluntary sector organisations coming together to look at strategic and practical solutions for business to address the issue of climate change. The National Forest featured as a case study for bioenergy and NFC Development Officer Ruth Green ran a poster session which attracted many delegates. “The Forest’s role is particularly important as the process of tree planting helps to lock up carbon emitted into the air. Wood used for the production of energy is a renewable resource and a key element of the ongoing sustainability of The National Forest,” said Ruth.

The new Strategy for the Forest gives a commitment to encouraging “the use of wood as a renewable enery resource by using woodland thinnings and short rotation coppice as wood fuel.” It also states that the NFC will “commission research to assess the carbon sequestration progress and future potential of the Forest and develop a framework for long-term monitioring.” As Forest Scene goes to print, the Prime Minister has just given his support to a new organisation dedicated to accelerating the world’s response to climate change. The Climate Group is a unique global organisation bringing together leading corporations, financial institutions, civil organisations and state, city and national governments that will work together to accelerate greenhouse gas emission reductions...