PEFC Webinar: Building a better future with certified timber
Countries around the world are aiming for net zero carbon emissions by 2050 as a response to the Paris Agreement to keep global temperature rise below 2 degrees Celsius. The global construction sector has a key role to play in achieving net zero, and PEFC believes that building with low carbon certified timber is a key part of the solution.
Join our PEFC Webinar: Building a better future with certified timber to learn how timber construction supports climate mitigation and other global sustainability targets, and the important role that PEFC certification plays. The webinar is free to attend and takes place 16 December at 11:00-12:00 CET. Register now.
We will be joined by three experts in the field of sustainable construction and strong advocates of timber as a building material:
Mark Wayne Probert from Binderholz will take us through the manufacturing journey, from sustainably managed forests to innovative mass engineered timber (MET) technology. Highlighting why the use of PEFC-certified timber is so important to the company, and showcasing MET projects.
Paul Jarquin, President and founder of REI Habitat, the first property developer in France to become PEFC certified, will focus in on the situation and opportunities in France. With the French government mandating that all new public buildings will be built from at least 50% timber or other natural materials, France is leading the world.
Finally, Mark Thomson, architect and Director of Eco-Effective Solutions, will focus in on why architects should be specifying certified timber. He’ll explain the inherent properties of timber in building, from their role in climate change mitigation, to their aesthetics.
Please note that the webinar will be in English, and you need to register in advance in order to receive the link.
Spaces are limited – register for free now!
Why should you attend?
This webinar will provide you with a solid background on the sustainability wins for timber construction. You’ll come away with a better understanding of the social, environmental and economic benefits of designing and building with certified timber.
Our expert speakers will share with you a range of innovative projects, illustrating the numerous and varied advantages that building with certified timber brings.
Finally, the webinar will demonstrate why sourcing and building with certified timber is so critical, and how PEFC certification provides assurances of responsible sourcing.
Don't delay – register now!
Who should attend?
While everyone is welcome, the webinar will be of particular interest to those working in the construction sector – whether you are already using timber, or are interested in finding out more about the sustainability advantages of timber construction.
From architects, specifiers and developers, to structural engineers, contractors, house builders and the timber supply chain, join us to learn how together we can build a better future with responsibly-sourced timber.
Source: https://www.pefc.org/news/pefc-webinar-building-a-better-future-with-certified-timber
2020 PEFC Photographer of the Year – winner announced!
12 countries, 8000 photos, 1 winner. We are delighted to announce the 2020 PEFC Photographer of the Year, chosen from nearly 8000 photos entered into the ‘Experience Forests, Experience PEFC’ photo contest.
The Award went to Keril Chairil, for his beautiful image ‘Morning Activities’, taken at Situ Gunung Lake in West Java, Indonesia. The image captures the magical atmosphere at the forest lake in the early morning.
“Thank you to the judges for choosing my photo as the winner of the 2020 PEFC Photographer of the Year Award! It is great that my photo can open people’s eyes for the importance of forests,” said Keril Chairil.
“We received so many stunning forest photos this year, choosing a winner was really not easy! But the whole jury agreed that Keril’s photo is exceptional,” said Ben Gunneberg, PEFC International CEO.
“We just love the fishermen, the greenery, the water reflections – what is not to like about this photograph?”
Victor Rodriguez, a photographer and member of the PEFC International jury, shares why the jury chose this photo as the winner.
“The action is eye-catching and is the key to this image – the casting of the net and the link between the fishermen and life under water. This reminds us that humans can be part of nature in a beautiful way,” he explains.
“The fishermen are surrounded by a peaceful, and almost static environment. The light is really soft and adds some magic to the scene, while the colours contribute to the general serene mood.”
The contest
For the fourth time, our ‘Experience Forests, Experience PEFC’ photo contest invited photographers and forest lovers from around the world to show us their best forest photos – and again, we received thousands of stunning images!
National contests were run by our members in 12 countries, and the photos entered show the beauty of forests worldwide. The winners of the national contests entered the international contest to compete for the ‘2020 PEFC Photographer of the Year’ Award.
The top 12 images were presented on Facebook Live and will star in our 2020 photo calendar.
First time in history: Indonesian Photographer is Awarded as the 2020 PEFC Photographer of the Year!
Since 2017 IFCC has been consecutively participating in the PEFC International Photo Contest by holding its national contest. “This is the 4th year for IFCC holding the photo contest and the 4th year for me involving in the judging process of this annual contest. As one of the judges, I feel that it is getting harder from year to year to assess and select the photos since all of the competed photos are so remarkable. About 6,000 to 7,000 photos were competed during the last 4 years in this annual photo contest and we can see how grateful we are as the beauty of Indonesian forests is showcased through thousands of photography shots. By holding this IFCC photo contest regularly, we hope that more people will love and participate in preserving the beauty of Indonesia's forests so that the forest functions are maintained”, expressed Zulfandi Lubis, the IFCC Executive Director.
Over 3 years holding the contest, there were always IFCC Photo Contest winners who are selected into the top 12 photographers in the PEFC International Photo Contest, but never once winning the 1st place. This year is the Indonesia’s year! The photo that was taken in Situ Gunung Lake located in the National Park of Mount Gede Pangrango Sukabumi, Indonesia, has successfully attracted and satisfied the assessment of the international juries. The photographer of this amazing shot is Chairil.
“Wow.. We just love the fishermen, the greenery, the water reflections – what is not to like about this photograph?“, said Ben Gunneberg, PEFC International CEO, when moderating the PEFC Photo Contest 2020 winner announcement through PEFC International Facebook and its Youtube channel on 10th November 2020.
“Everything works in this picture. The light, the movement captured. It’s fabulous. It’s really magic,” impressed Lucas, an experienced photography enthusiast.
Victor Rodriguez, a photographer and key member of the PEFC International jury, explained about the reasons of why Chairil’s photo is chosen as the winner, “The action is eye-catching and is the key to this image – the casting of the net and the link between the fishermen and life under water. This reminds us that humans can be part of nature in a beautiful way. The fishermen are surrounded by a peaceful, and almost static environment. The light is really soft and adds some magic to the scene, while the colours contribute to the general serene mood,” he explains.
“Congratulations to Chairil who have reached remarkable achievement as the winner of the international photo contest which competing around 8,000 photos from various countries worldwide. As one of the judges and citizens of Indonesia, I am proud of you, Chairil. It was quite difficult selecting from thousands of photos into choosing 5 winners at the national level since the photos are all outstanding. Congratulations once again and I hope this achievement will be pioneering to produce the next “Chairil” in the future IFCC Photo Contest”, said Zulfandi.
“The PEFC Photo Contest 2020 has given a very deep impression, where each participant are competing to capture the beauty of nature from their own perspective. It's not easy to produce a photo that is so meaningful and has a full story of it. Congratulations to the winner. Hopefully the beauty of Indonesia can be reflected in his next masterpieces,” said Lucky Candra Kusumo, one of the judges of IFCC Photo Contest 2020. Lucky is a professional photographer and has experienced in landscape and street photography since 10 years ago. "The Earth is too beautiful to not to be captured", he concluded.
Chairil was really speechless when receiving a news from PEFC International informing that he is awarded as 2020 PEFC Photo Contest of the Year. He is still cannot believing that he wins the first place in the international photography competition. He feels so grateful that he can be the winner. As a photographer, he mentioned that by sharing his photos entitled “Morning Activity” to public he wishes that he can encourage many people to be more aware and respect towards the environment surrounding them. Photography is a way he can do to support sustainable forest management here in Indonesia.
Chairil has been very passionate in photography since 11 years ago and starting that time he admitted that photography is totally his hobby. He showcases many of his shots in Instagram. Feel free to visit his virtual photo gallery in Instagram at @7kaylie.
Chairil said that the existence of IFCC Photo Contest is really good for forest conservation as there are so many photographers participating and sharing their photos about forests and their stories, so that it can help IFCC to indirectly monitor it. Chairil advised that if possible, the next photo contest should not only showing the beauty of the forest but also the opposite in order to attract people’s awareness on the forests area which need more attention. Chairil is very enthusiastic to participate in the next IFCC Photo Contest and will always support this event. He expects that IFCC Photo Contest will be happening every year.
“Congratulations to the PEFC Photo Contest 2020 and the winner for his best work. This event is very important in supporting efforts to conserve and manage natural resources and exploring the creative works of art. Hopefully PEFC can always facilitate this kind of activity in the future,” expressed Dones Rinaldi, one of the IFCC Photo Contest 2020 judges. Dones has been doing landscape and wildlife photography since 1974.
Two Indonesian Photographers Went to the Top 12 of PEFC International Photo Contest!
In the 4 th year joining the PEFC Photo Contest with holding a national level photo contest, IFCC managed to collect more than 1500 photos capturing the beauty of Indonesian forest. Every year, the winners of IFCC Photo Contest are competed again in the PEFC International Photo Contest. Indonesian photographers have delivered tremendous achievement since 2017 in the PEFC Photo Contest. Starting 2017, one of IFCC Photo Contest winners was chosen as the top 12 of the PEFC International Photo Contest. In 2018 and 2019, not only one but two of IFCC Photo Contest winners were selected as the top 12 of PEFC International Photo Contests.
This year, Indonesia has repeated the success story. And yes, two out of five IFCC Photo Contest 2020 winners are successfully secured two spots for the next round that chosen by the international jury as the top 12 best photo of PEFC International Photo Contest 2020. Those photos are the masterpieces of Ismail Abd Muttalib with the title The Beauty of Walakiri Beach and Chairil with the title Morning Activity. These are the wonderful photos that selected by PEFC!
Ismail Abd Muthalib is the 1 st winner while Chairil is the 4 th winner of IFCC Photo Contest 2020. Both of them shared their thought about how forest inspires them to take their winning photo.
Ismail Abd Muthalib:
“For me, a good photo has to give some magical sensation and giving imagination beyond our senses. My photo masterpiece is about forest ecosystem which is pictured by some connected living things and it is always been interesting for me in all perspective. In 2019, the Indonesian forest area is 94,1 million hectares or 50.1% of total land area and Indonesia has become one of the lungs of the earth. So, I hope my photo can give some inspiration to all about the importance to develop and maintain forest preservation.”
Chairil:
“Forest is an area of life for all types of living things, all life starts from the forest. My personal feelings about forests today are very worried, especially in Indonesia because the number of forests is decreasing very fast. We used to be rich in forests, now we are starting a crisis over forest land. Hopefully this t will be resolved quickly. But apart from that, I am very grateful to be in the areas that still have many forests which can be immortalized through photography work. One of which is the forest on Mount Gede Pangrango which has a lake we call it Situ Gunung. This lake really provides an extraordinary view when we are here in the morning. So I made the picture of it. With this photo I can show how beautiful the natural atmosphere is here.”
Both Ismail and Chairil have same passion toward photography and have concern about our forest. Their passions are the reason why now we can see these photos. Congratulations and thank you to both winners for such amazing photos and achievements for Indonesia!