Paper is one of the few products on earth that already has an environmentally sustainable, circular life cycle. It is made from an infinitely renewable natural resource – trees that are purpose-grown, harvested and regrown in sustainably managed forests. It is manufactured using mostly renewable, carbon neutral bioenergy in a process that uses a lot of water, but consumes very little of it. And paper products are recycled more than any other material.
Sustainable forest management is a dynamic and evolving concept which aims to maintain and enhance the economic, social and environmental values of all types of forests for the benefit of present and future generations. Sustainable forestry practices integrate management of the entire forest ecosystem, including trees and other plants, wildlife and habitat, soil and water. Sustainable forestry also helps protect forests from wildfire, pests and diseases, and preserves forests that are unique or special.
According to laws, regulations and policies in place across Canada, all areas harvested on public land must be reforested, either by replanting or through natural regeneration, so virtually all harvested lands will continue to be regenerated. About 90% of Canada’s forests are on public land.
Canada is home to 9% of the world’s forests, making it the third most forested country in the world after Russia and Brazil. Canada’s total forest area was quite stable between 1990 and 2022 at around 367 million hectares (906 million acres). The estimate of Canada’s forest area was revised upward in 2021 to reflect improvements and updates to data sources and forest inventory techniques over the last 10 years. Forests dominate many Canadian landscapes but cover only 40% of Canada’s land base.
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