Big opportunities for a high-value, low-carbon forestry future

The New Zealand wood fibre futures stage one report identifies wood processing technologies that could help drive a high-value and low-carbon economy.Te Uru Rākau (Forestry New Zealand) director sector investment Jason Wilson said the report, by an international consortium led by BioPacific Partners, focused on how New Zealand could build on the forestry industry's current strengths to create a low-carbon future.The report identified possible alternatives to concrete and steel, and biofuels made from woody biomass."We know forests have a big role to play in carbon mitigation, but forestry can play an even bigger role in both the economy and meeting environmental goals if it is used to create new and innovative high-value, low-carbon products including liquid fuels and replacements for coal," said Mr Wilson.Mr Wilson said the report identified 15 technologies out of 108 found globally that New Zealand could prioritise and laid out ways to attract investors. The report represented the culmination of stage 1 of the project and Te Uru Rākau was now progressing with stage 2."Stage 2 focuses on building an attractive investment case and undertaking a detailed feasibility study for the priority technologies. It will involve discussions with key industry partners, including those in forestry, transport, construction, and energy. We are also working closely with other agencies, including the Ministry of Transport and MBIE, to identify policy tools to incentivise investment."This next phase of work will come under the umbrella of the Forest and Wood Products Industry Transformation Plan, and as part of the broader Fit for a Better World initiative.