Photo: Western Pellet Association of Canada

On September 17 to 18, 2024 the Wood Pellet Association of Canada will be harnessing the energy of industry experts in Victoria, B.C. to discuss the critical role biomass and wood pellets play in the transition to a greener and brighter future.

During WPAC’s annual conference “Powering Sustainability: The Role of Biomass in Electrification”—over two days of sessions and networking events—an exciting lineup of experts will examine the electrification revolution taking place across Canada and around the globe.

Waste Not, Want Not” on Wednesday, September 18 at 8:30 am will explore the challenges of moving logging residuals from the forest to the pellet plant and beyond and how these actions will keep our communities safer, reduce emissions, protect our forests, and provide clean energy.

“Powering the shift from fossil fuels to clean, renewable and responsible energy will require new innovations and solutions,” says Gordon Murray, Executive Director, WPAC. “Respected industry veteran Steve Kozuki will be sharing how the Forest Enhancement Society of BC  is helping communities remove excess fibre from forests to reduce fuel for potential wildfires and providing the raw materials needed to make bio-products and bioenergy.”

It is estimated that millions of cubic metres of “wood waste” are left in Canada’s forests after harvesting, left to be burned in slash piles or contribute to forest fires. In his last official speaking engagement before retirement from FESBC, Steve will join other industry experts to illustrate home-grown actions that are demonstrating the importance of government and industry partnerships in solving these challenges.

The session features:

  • The Case for Forest Management – Ben Hudson, Manager, Carbon Accounting and Reporting, Pacific Forestry Centre, Canadian Forest Service
  • Lessons from Finland, Joe Nemeth, General Manager, BC Pulp and Paper Coalition
  • The British Columbia Approach – Steve Kozuki, Executive Director, Forest Enhancement Society of BC
  • Advances in Traceability & Geolocation – Carsten Huljus, CEO, Sustainable Biomass Program (EUDR)

Kozuki says it is an honour to cap his career talking about how the FESBC is a catalyst that empowers local people and uses forestry to create deep transformational shifts.

“FESBC is unique in the forest sector in British Columbia blending the best characteristics of industry with the best aspirations of government,” he adds. “It uses forest industry business know-how to create social and environmental benefits for the public enabling local people to propose projects using local knowledge, contractors and workers.”

Improving utilization of wood fibre is a win for people and our forests. Given that most of the recovered fibre would otherwise be burned in slash piles, FESBC projects are also helping B.C. reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The Wood Pellet Association of Canada Conference is Canada’s largest gathering of the Canadian wood pellet industry.  Don’t miss this opportunity to be a part of the dialogue that transforms our future.

Register now for WPAC’s conference by clicking here.