July 2010
We were happy to see the recognition given to Dr. Peter Duinker who has been heading up the Technical Committee responsible for the CSA sustainable forest management standard. And the latest revision of the Standard has just been approved as a National Standard of Canada. Read our latest comments to the US Green Building Council as it applies to the LEED credit for forest certification. Details on these and what the User Group has been been up to lately in our July newsletter.
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April 2010
April's newsletter has an example of how forests certified to the CSA SFM standard are making a difference where it really matters - on the ground. You will also find information on the new SFM standard for Woodlots and what PEFC Canada has been up to.
December 2009
Seasons Greetings! In the December newsletter you will find out out where the User Group has been recently to create awareness and support for the CSA Standard and why it's such a great fit for public forest management in Canada. There is also information on the Chairman's Award, given to deserving public advisory groups that are active in CSA certification. And you will find out about the assistance that woodlot owners in Nova Scotia are receiving when they subscribe to the CSA Standard for Woodlots.
November 2009
Want to know more about PEFC Canada and product labeling and logo use? How about the CSA Sustainable Forest Management Standard for Woodlots? Details in our November newsletter.
Welcome to our inaugural newsletter! Inside you can read about the fresh new look to the website and other materials. And if you are looking for an opportunity to to speak to us in person, check out the trade shows where we will be in attendance.
The Lac-Saint-Jean Public Advisory Group received the second annual CSA SFM User Group Chairman’s award today for their leadership and commitment in advancing the sustainable forest management objectives of the CSA forest certification standard.
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The CSA SFM User Group expresses it's disappointment with the US Green Building Council's third draft benchmark currently out for public comment. “This is not a model for the accountability and transparency the USGBC is demanding of others” noted John Dunford, chair of the CSA SFM User Group.
Improvements to CSA’s Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) Standard occurred earlier this year as part of a 5-year review cycle that keeps the standard current and relevant. Now organizations certified to the standard are providing fresh new information about it’s use on an updated website.
As the predominant green building standard in North America, the US Green Building Council had the opportunity in their current LEED revision process to truly impact sustainability by promoting forest certification to all the respected standards in North America.
The CSA SFM User Group remains disappointed with the US Green Building Council’s latest (fourth) request for public comment on the draft benchmarks that are aimed at evaluating forest certification programs in their LEED building rating system. The disappointment stems from the USGBC’s narrow opportunity for review and comment – limiting comment to a handful of the 80 or so benchmark criteria.
There are also still several areas where the benchmark language remains narrow in scope and misses the mark in ensuring forests are managed sustainably. And more generally, the overall LEED rating system disadvantages sustainably harvested wood products over other basic materials used in building construction.
Buildings contribute almost 40 percent of the total CO2 emissions in the United States. And life-cycle assessment studies reveal that CO2 emissions for wood-based buildings are substantially lower than emissions associated with comparable steel- or concrete based buildings. A LEED rating system that takes an inclusive approach to the use of wood sourced from credible certification systems would see the benefits of promoting sustainable forest management globally and postively contributing to climate change.
The CSA SFM User Group has voiced its concerns with LEED's exclusive approach to certification in a letter to the Canada Green Building Council.
Read what the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers are saying about the CSA standard and an inclusive approach to credible forest certification programs. READ MORE
PEFC June Newsletter
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