Tag: timber markets

Timber Tracking: Striking the Balance between Diversification & Harmonisation to Tackle Global Problems

Timber is a natural resource that is all around us in the form of solid wood, fibreboard or veneer in constructions, furniture, decorations, … or as pulp and paper products, or in summer times as charcoal on the BBQ. Sustainable use of timber starts with legal use of timber. Illegal logging doesn’t respect management plans, (inter)national regulations, or people’s needs. Therefore, the Global Timber Tracking Network was started in 2012 as a network of stakeholders involved in timber research, industry or governance. The aim of the GTTN is to operationalise timber tracking tools to help implement the current regulations concerning the trade in timber (for the EU that is the EUTR).

Timber tracking based on the inherent wood characteristics is the only way to be sure that wood or a wood product at the end of the supply chain is what the documents say it is, and is hence legal. There are currently 6 different timber tracking methods that can reveal species and/or geographic identity. Depending on the exact identification question, one method will be more suitable than the other. Therefore, an infogram was developed to give an overview of the current capacities of the different timber tracking tools. The guide links to a list of all experts in timber tracking, currently know of in the world.

The infographic of timber tracking tools creates the perfect base to discuss the gaps and opportunities for further developments in the field of wood identification. Two critical parts of the wood identification process, open for more advancements are the collection of reference samples and the data analysis. With global timber supply chains there is a need for harmonization of procedures to secure the reputation of the different wood identification tools and to facilitate collaborations. Also, a common language is essential for any collaboration and hence for further innovations. Therefore, it is important to investigate the current barriers of information flow and to evaluate how much information we miss if we only consider English language literature.

Website Global Timber Tracking Network: https://globaltimbertrackingnetwork.org/

For further information please contact Dr. Nele Schmitz:

nele.schmitz(at)thuenen.de

nele.schmitz(at)scensers.org

GTTN Call for Experts: Timber Tracking

Curbing illegal logging and timber trade – call for experts in timber tracking (from both supply & user side) to participate in working groups of the Global Timber Tracking Network (GTTN) to further operationalise and promote innovative timber tracking tools:

GTTN Call for Experts in Timber Tracking

The GTTN is comosing its working groups for the second phase, as described in the flyer (pdf):

GTTN Phase II: What? Who? How?

 

For further information about current timber tracking, GTTN activities, sustainable timber markets, contact Dr. Nele Schmitz:

nele.schmitz(at)thuenen.de

or

nele.schmitz(at)scensers.org

 

 

The Global Timber Tracking Network – In Focus: Illegal Logging and the Associated Timber Trade

Illegal logging and the associated timber trade are a serious threat for precious timber species and for forests in general. It impacts environment (biodiversity loss, soil degradation, climate change) as well as economy (tax evasion, corruption, distortion of timber market).

Timber tracking systems do exist to check tree species and geographic origin of wood. The most common ones, however, can be manipulated as they are paper-based or via electronic tags. That’s why development of timber tracking systems based on characteristics inherent to the wood are essential.

The Global Timber Tracking Network (GTTN) brings together experts in timber identification tools (wood anatomy, stable isotopes and DNA analyses), policy and advocacy specialists to

(i) integrate, optimize and standardize methods,

(ii) develop a global database with reference data,

(iii) raise awareness and train researchers worldwide.

At the start of the second phase of the GTTN, the new IUFRO report “Illegal Logging and Related Timber Trade – Dimensions, Drivers, Impacts and Responses” offers a welcome perspective on the problem of illegal logging and related timber trade. The full report is available via the IUFRO website. Key issues are highlighted by Dr. Nele Schmitz (GTTN; Thünen Institute of Forest Genetics) in her summary of the report:

A summary of the IUFRO World Series Volume 35 report on illegal logging and related timber trade

 

For further information about current timber tracking, GTTN activities, sustainable timber markets, contact Dr. Nele Schmitz:

nele.schmitz(at)thuenen.de

or

nele.schmitz(at)scensers.org