Join the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) at the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) as we showcase our commitment to sustainable forestry and climate solutions. Explore our events, engage with industry leaders, and be part of the conversation on advancing climate action through sustainable forest products.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to participate in these critical discussions. Register today and secure your spot at AFPA’s COP28 events.
Host : Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA)
Summary : Half of the dry weight of timber is carbon and therefore forest products in all shapes and forms are the best friends climate mitigation has. To keep 1.5°C alive, we need to use more timber in construction, more forest based fibre in packaging to replace plastics, more sustainably sourced cellulose in a vast range of products from bio fuels to clothing to car parts and even pharmaceuticals. Sustainable supply therefore needs to keep pace with demand. Mills across the globe are adopting renewable energy to reduce their carbon footprint further. In Australia, timber biomass is even being used to make solar panels.
Date/time : Friday 1 December 2023 | 15:30 – 17:00 Dubai time
Location : Chinese Government Pavilion
Speakers : TBC
Host : World Bioenergy Association, Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology UK
Summary : Bioenergy is currently the largest renewable source, accounting for 10% of the global energy supply. In the future, energy generation from various biomass sources including forestry, agriculture, and municipal waste is expected to expand significantly. According to various analyses, bioenergy will represent about 20% of the global energy supply by 2050. Apart from climate change mitigation, the sector has various co-benefits including job creation, local economic development, carbon capture, etc.
Developing a sustainable global bioenergy sector of that scale that can navigate complex societal negotiations and secure large-scale investments will require comprehensive stakeholder engagement, regionally and internationally.
To scale up bioenergy in a sustainable way, the World Bioenergy Association (WBA) and Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA) are pleased to invite you to the ‘Sustainable Bioenergy’ event to be held at the REAction pavilion on 05th December in the Blue Zone of COP28. At the event, leading industry associations in the bioenergy sector including solid, liquid, and gaseous fuels will share the development in individual regions on the topic of sustainability. The stakeholders will also discuss how sustainability can be secured in mobilizing biomass at scale for not only energy purposes but also for chemical and material use.
Date/Time : Tuesday 5 December 2023 | 10.00am – 12:00 Dubai time
Location : REAction Pavilion
Speakers :
Group Corporate Affairs Director at Drax
Acting CEO & Climate Policy Manager at Australian Forest Products Association
Nataša is skilled in policy development, communication, strategy, and advocacy and is passionate about evidence-based scientific policy development particularly focused on sustainable nature-based solutions and the opportunities in the bio-economy to combat climate change.
Prior to commencing with AFPA she has spent 20 years in federal politics working with a diverse range of Primary Industry stakeholders delivering effective legislative and policy outcomes both in Government and Opposition.
Nataša is a strong advocate for grassroots engagement and wants to provide a voice and opportunity to those who are not familiar with political and bureaucratic systems when seeking to instigate change.
German Biogas Association
CEO at Pellet Mexico Bioenergia
Host : Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA)
Summary : Wednesday 6 December 2023 | 17:10-17:30 Dubai time
Location : Chinese Government Pavilion
Speakers :
Secretary-General at China Meteorological Service Association
Deputy Director-General and Secretary-General at Yangtze River Ecological Protection Foundation
Member of the Secretariat at China Foundation for Public Welfare
Executive Director at Yangtze River Ecological Protection Foundation
Project Director at Shan Shui Conservation Center
Climate Project Manager at WildAid
Director At Wetland Monitoring and Assessment Department at the East China Investigation and Planning Institute of National Forestry and Grassland Administration
Acting CEO & Climate Policy Manager at Australian Forest Products Association
Nataša is skilled in policy development, communication, strategy, and advocacy and is passionate about evidence-based scientific policy development particularly focused on sustainable nature-based solutions and the opportunities in the bio-economy to combat climate change.
Prior to commencing with AFPA she has spent 20 years in federal politics working with a diverse range of Primary Industry stakeholders delivering effective legislative and policy outcomes both in Government and Opposition.
Nataša is a strong advocate for grassroots engagement and wants to provide a voice and opportunity to those who are not familiar with political and bureaucratic systems when seeking to instigate change.
American Institute of Architects President
Emily Grandstaff-Rice, FAIA, is a senior project manager/senior associate at Perkins&Will. As an architect, her portfolio includes work for a wide range of clients. Her most recent projects focus on K-12 and higher education learning environments; she is drawn to them for their ability to change students’ lives and prepare them for the future.
Emily has demonstrated continued and significant service to AIA, including leading the national equity, diversity, and inclusion conversation and serving as the 2014 president of the Boston Society of Architects/AIA. As a former chair of AIA’s Equity in Architecture Commission, she was instrumental in creating the AIA Guides for Equitable Practice. She will use her national platform to advance equity and climate action and effect widespread positive change in the industry.
Acting CEO & Climate Policy Manager at Australian Forest Products Association
Nataša is skilled in policy development, communication, strategy, and advocacy and is passionate about evidence-based scientific policy development particularly focused on sustainable nature-based solutions and the opportunities in the bio-economy to combat climate change.
Prior to commencing with AFPA she has spent 20 years in federal politics working with a diverse range of Primary Industry stakeholders delivering effective legislative and policy outcomes both in Government and Opposition.
Nataša is a strong advocate for grassroots engagement and wants to provide a voice and opportunity to those who are not familiar with political and bureaucratic systems when seeking to instigate change.
Managing Director of EPD MENA
Nasser Ayoub is a Professor, the Managing Director of EPD MENA, Co-founder and CEO of EPD Egypt, a UNFCCC Roster of Experts Member, an accredited EPD Verifier, a Senior Lead Environmental Consultant, and a Certified LCA Professional.
Dr. Ayoub has more than 25 years of comprehensive academic and professional experience in seven different countries (Holland, Japan, Saudi, Qatar, USA, and Kuwait). He holds a Doctor of Environmental Engineering from Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan in the field of Environmentally Friendly Supply Chains and Life Carbon Footprint Assessment and MSc in Engineering from Eindhoven University of Technology.
President of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air -Conditioning Engineers
Ginger has 35 years of experience as a licensed mechanical engineer and is a certified commissioning agent and certified energy manager. She is the president and owner of Engineered Designs, Inc. in Cary, N.C. – a full-service consulting engineering firm – where she works on the design and commissioning of projects ranging from $4 to $90 million in construction cost. Her focus is on designing high-performing buildings across a wide variety of markets.
Chief Executive Officer of Royal Institute of British Architects
Valerie has worked at a senior level in the public, private and voluntary sectors. Valerie is presently the Chief Executive of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). RIBA is a global professional membership body driving excellence in architecture. RIBA serves more than 58,000 members and society to deliver better buildings and places, stronger communities, and a sustainable environment. Being inclusive, ethical, environmentally aware and collaborative underpins all RIBA does.
Valerie started her career with the UK National Audit Office where she qualified as an accountant. She has extensive experience in the built environment. Valerie has been a Managing Director of a housing association, advised on Public Private Finance Initiative building projects and has considerable international experience. She has been a Chair of a heritage properties regeneration organisation, Chair of a NHS Trust and is presently the Chair of a Housing Association which manages 8,000 homes in London.
Host : Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA)
Summary : Afforestation policy needs to cover social, economic and environmental benefits for local communities. Sustainable forestry is a key tool in governments’ achieving respective nationally determined contributions. This panel will discuss the challenges, opportunities and success stories of sustainable forest management across the Asia Pacific.
Date/Time : Saturday 9 December 2023 | 10:30am Dubai time
Location : Australian Pavilion
Speakers :
Acting CEO & Climate Policy Manager at Australian Forest Products Association
Nataša is skilled in policy development, communication, strategy, and advocacy and is passionate about evidence-based scientific policy development particularly focused on sustainable nature-based solutions and the opportunities in the bio-economy to combat climate change.
Prior to commencing with AFPA she has spent 20 years in federal politics working with a diverse range of Primary Industry stakeholders delivering effective legislative and policy outcomes both in Government and Opposition.
Nataša is a strong advocate for grassroots engagement and wants to provide a voice and opportunity to those who are not familiar with political and bureaucratic systems when seeking to instigate change.
President of International Forestry Students Association, University of British Columbia, Canada.
Chenming’s transformative journey commenced in the picturesque coastal town of Rizhao, China, where the breathtaking natural surroundings ignited his fervor for environmental conservation. Currently pursuing a Master’s in International Forestry at the University of British Columbia, Chenming stands as the Founder of Chenming Education company. Under his visionary leadership, Chenming Education has evolved into a dynamic platform for public welfare and climate education.
Chenming’s commitment to research is evident through two impactful projects. The first delves into the practical aspects of agroforestry, showcasing his dedication to sustainable land use practices. The second project focuses on Investigating the Link Between Landscape and Human-Tiger Conflicts, reflecting his broader engagement with environmental challenges.
Director of the Department of Forests of Vanuatu
Mr Viranamangga is the Director of the Department of Forests of Vanuatu. In the the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, Fisheries and Biosecurity. Mr Viranamangga has a Diploma of Forestry (PNG), Bachelor of Forestry (SCU), Grad Dip Environmental Management and Development (ANU), Masters of Science Forestry (SCU).
Executive Director Operations and Services, Ministry of Forestry, Fiji
Tevita Bulai is a Deputy Conservator of Forest, Executive Director Research and Development, and reporting directly to the Conservator of Forest who is the head of the Department of Forestry under the Ministry of Fisheries and Forestry in Fiji. Tevita has 25 years of work experience with the Ministry of Forestry joining in 1998 as a casual worker before advancing through the ranks from Forest Guard in January 2003 to his current position in April 2022. He spent most of his earlier working years with the Timber Utilisation Division (TUD) before joining the Forest Operations Division in 2013 as the Divisional Forestry Officer overseeing the northern part of Fiji. In 2018, he was transferred on promotion back to the Timber Utilisation Division as the Director in charge. His experience includes forest operations, timber processing, research and capacity building in the timber industry. Tevita holds a Bachelor of Applied Management (Forestry Management) and a Master in Forest Science from the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Group CEO of the Dja Dja Wurrung Group
Rodney is a descendant of the Dja Dja Wurrung and Yorta Yorta people in, Central Victoria, Australia.
Senior Policy Manager – Australian Forest Products Association
Sara Bray is a Senior Policy Manager at the Australian Forest Products Association. For a decade, Sara has been working in government policy at a National, State and local government level. Sara has worked for Federal and State Ministers for Agriculture and has also spent time working for State Attorneys-General specialising in protecting people in vulnerable situations. Before her career in government policy, Sara was a commercial lawyer, graduating from the University of Adelaide with LLB (Hons) and Bachelor of Environmental Studies. Growing up in regional Australia, Sara is a strong believer in practical solutions for climate change, and is a passionate advocate for forestry as a practical and commercial option for farmers and government policy makers alike.
Host : The Ministry of Environment and Forestry Directorate General of
Sustainable Forest Management (Indonesia)
Summary :
Significant impacts of climate change, which include changing weather patterns, rising sea levels, and more extreme weather events, are significantly evident across the globe. All regions clearly recognize the gravity of the global climate challenge and appreciates the value of multilateral, collective, and concerted action as the only means to address this truly global threat in order to consistently sustainably managed the forest resources.
The recognition of the role of the forest in economic, ecological and social dimensions on the one hand, and the climate change associated effects on the other hand, have threatened the forests resources to be sustainably managed globally through good forestry governance continuous approach.
Indonesia as one of the mega biodiversity country that possess nearly 63% of its terrestrial areas are forest areas, promotes the new paradigm of sustainable forest management that employs five pillars – legal certainty of forest areas, guarantee for business legality, productivity, product diversification and competitiveness. To implement the five pillars into an action, technological advance plays an important role in improving the forestry governance. The Government of Indonesia promotes the utilization of technology, digitalization and information system incorporated into forest management approach.
Indeed, the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry developed an Information System on Forest Products Administration (Sistem Informasi Penatausahaan Hasil Hutan – SIPUHH), Timber Legality Information System (Sistem Informasi Legalitas Kayu – SILK), Reporting and Work Plan Information System of the Forest Business License (Sistem Informasi Rencana Kerja dan Pelaporan – SIPASHUT), Sustainable Forest Management One Data (Satu Data PHL), thematic geospatial information (Sistem Informasi Geospatial Tematik – SIGAP) etc as an effort to show strong commitment from the government to support planning, decision making, management, implementation and monitoring of forest resources, land cover, forest utilization and other activities towards a transparent and good forestry governance.
Date/Time : Sunday 10 December 2023 | 14:30-15:50 Dubai time
Location : Indonesia Government Pavilion
Director General of Sustainable Forest Management,
Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Government of Indonesia,
Director of Levy and Forest Products Administration,
Secretary Directorate General of Sustainable Forest Management,
Acting CEO & Climate Policy Manager at Australian Forest Products Association
Nataša is skilled in policy development, communication, strategy, and advocacy and is passionate about evidence-based scientific policy development particularly focused on sustainable nature-based solutions and the opportunities in the bio-economy to combat climate change.
Prior to commencing with AFPA she has spent 20 years in federal politics working with a diverse range of Primary Industry stakeholders delivering effective legislative and policy outcomes both in Government and Opposition.
Nataša is a strong advocate for grassroots engagement and wants to provide a voice and opportunity to those who are not familiar with political and bureaucratic systems when seeking to instigate change.
Project Manager, International Timber Trade Association,
Join us at COP28 and be part of the movement towards a more sustainable future. For more information, please contact us at (+61) 0408 404 764 or via email at [email protected].
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