Setting a New Global Standard for Conservation

FPAC, its members and nine leading environmental organizations, including Greenpeace, signed the largest conservation agreement the world has ever seen in May 2010. It covers more than 72 million hectares of public forests licensed to FPAC member companies across Canada. It is a concrete commitment between FPAC members and environmental groups to work together in the marketplace and on the ground to support sustainable forest management.

The landmark agreement changes the old paradigm of the economy versus the environment to finding collaborative solutions for the economy and the environment. And the world is taking notice. Avrim Lazar, FPAC President and CEO, was recognized for his work in bringing together industry and environmental groups at the 2011 gala dinner of the United Nations Association in Canada. The event also celebrated the United Nations International Year of Forests.

In partnership with the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, and its magazines, Canadian Geographic and Géographica, FPAC helped in the development of a broad, bilingual, multimedia project to offer readers, web users and school students a portrait of the forest products industry in Canada. The forest-themed January/February issue of the Magazine – inspired by the United Nations' declaration of 2011 as International Year of Forests – includes as its centerpiece a feature story on the Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement.