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Innovative and sustainably produced wood products, when coupled with sustainable forest management, can ‘build the future’ and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In a sector like construction, which globally accounts for 6% of total energy consumption
Spruce, pine and fir are the main families of coniferous trees fueling the global forest products sector. They provide the raw material for just under 60% of wood products in the world. Products derived from these species are used as construction materials for buildings, for paper and paper
Given the many threats to global water supply, forest management and planning will increasingly need to deploy strategies for optimizing watershed services – such as water purification, the regulation of surface flows, and erosion control. The services provided by forest ecosystems for water
The global financial crisis of 2008 led to more inequality in the UNECE region. The past two decades have witnessed a general trend towards increasing home ownership. According to the Habitat III Regional Report on Housing and Urban Development for the UNECE Region (2016), many local governments
The Secretary General of the Organization for International Economic Relations (OiER), Ms. Kari Aina Eik, and the Executive Secretary of the UNECE, Ms. Olga Algayerova, signed today a Memorandum of Understating (MoU) to establish a Geneva UN Charter Centre of Excellence on Smart Sustainable
In 2017 UNECE adopted the Framework Guidelines for Energy Efficiency Standards in Buildings which promote the adoption of aggressive, performance-based codes for buildings. To support the deployment of the Framework Guidelines and to advance the performance of buildings broadly, UNECE is
Malaysian-born film star and UNDP Goodwill Ambassador Michelle Yeoh will attend the High Level Political Forum in New York today to put the spotlight on the role that clothing manufacture and consumer fashion can have for a better planet with a new video, called “Made in Forests.”“The connection
The fashion industry has seen a spectacular growth in the early 21st century. It is now valued at more than 2.5 trillion dollars and employs over 75 million people worldwide. Between 2000 and 2014, clothing production doubled with the average consumer buying 60 percent more pieces of garment
The Grenfell Tower fire in London in June 2017 has brought under the spotlight the need for a coherent global approach to fire safety. That fire - the worst in the UK for almost a century that claimed 72 lives - not only focused attention on building and fire safety in the United Kingdom
Over 2.5 million ha of forest landscape will be restored by countries in the Caucasus and Central Asia under the Bonn Challenge by 2030. The commitment was made by Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan at the first Ministerial Roundtable on Forest Landscape
According to United Nations estimates, around two-thirds of the world’s population will live in urban areas by 2050. Smart sustainable cities technologies and approaches, including those based on ICT solutions and Internet of Things (IoT) are already helping people to overcome multiple
If we try to picture how humanity can “ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all by the year 2030” (Sustainable Development Goal 7), solar panels, wind turbines, geothermal plants, heat pumps, tidal power plants or other technical solutions come to mind. But
Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are key to reach the objectives set out by the United Nations for cities, particularly the Sustainable Development Goal 11 “Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”. They are also crucial to help
Ukraine is facing multiple challenges related to its housing sector. Housing is not affordable, especially to vulnerable groups of the population, including young people entering the labor market and low-income families. The housing affordability index, which is calculated as a ratio between the
Forests are fundamental to sustainable development, from their role as carbon sinks and the vital ecosystem services they perform, to the many wood-based products and renewable energy they provide. Monitoring the status of forests to ensure their sustainable management is therefore essential if
Forests are one of the most valuable natural resources in Georgia. They cover about 40% of the country and have significant potential for production of wood and wood products. About 98% of Georgian forests are natural forests, which are crucial for the country’s biodiversity, providing important
Cities and human settlements in the UNECE region face enormous challenges. The population in the region is ageing, bringing changing demands on infrastructure and social services. Increased urban expansion has reduced the land available for other uses. Climate change and natural disasters are
Countries from the UNECE region gathered in Warsaw this week to ensure that their forests are sustainably managed and used for the well-being of all. They agreed that sustainably managed forests and long lasting, sustainably sourced wood products can make important contributions to climate
Forest products markets are doing well, with improvements forecasted to continue into next year although barriers to cross-border trade are an ongoing concern for the forest products industry, according to the market statement at Las2017, the Joint Session of the Committee of Forests and the
The consumption of forest products continues to increase across the UNECE region, driven by the use of wood as a “greener choice” in building and energy use, and supported by favourable economic growth. However, trade restrictions are a growing challenge for the sector. These are the key
Armenia has made considerable progress in implementing sustainable housing and land management policies, but significant challenges remain in terms of access to decent housing and mitigation of disaster risks.These are some of the findings of the Second UNECE Country Profile on Housing and Land
Certification at the centre of debates as UNECE and FAO celebrate 70 years of cooperation on forests
Eighty-five per cent of the world’s forests certified as sustainably managed are located within the 56 countries of the UNECE region, which includes Europe, Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia, the United States and Canada. Today, this region contains 42 per cent of the world’s forests
The future of “green jobs” in the forest sector is the focus of an international workshop opening today in Bratislava, Slovak Republic.Nearly 70 participants from 18 European countries – representing the UN system, the European Commission, government Ministries and organizations, nongovernmental
Traditionally forestry and forest-related jobs have always been in the domain of men. This is no longer the case. Women have been entering the work force for some time carrying out what is typically known as “a man’s job” and the share of women working in the forest and owning forests is
Housing is a fundamental human need that can influence public health, security and wellbeing of both present and future generations. With over 50% of Albania’s inhabitants currently residing in urban areas, the transition toward more sustainable housing in the country could have an extremely