Green Star 'Sustainable Timber' credit reviewed

The chief executives of the Green Building Council of Australia, Romilly Madew, and Australian Forestry Standard Limited, Kayt Watts, have released a joint statement regarding the review of the Green Star Mat-8 ‘Sustainable Timber’ credit.

The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) commenced a review of the Mat-8 ‘Sustainable Timber’ credit last year, as part of its ongoing process to ensure the Green Star suite of environmental rating tools for buildings reflects industry best practice.

“The fundamental aim of the review of the credit is to recognise the value of all certified timber products and to promote the important role which the Australian timber industry plays in the green building supply chain,” said the GBCA’s Chief Executive Romilly Madew.

As part of the review, an independent Timber Expert Reference Panel of nine people was formed, including:

• Craig Heaton (Chair), Former Chair of GBCA Board (NSW);
• Greg Nolan, Centre for Sustainable Architecture, Uni of Tasmania (Tas);
• Chris Taylor, RMIT University PhD Candidate in Forest Certification (Vic);
• Rod Keenan, Forest and Ecosystem Science, Uni of Melbourne (Vic);
• Glen Kile, Former CEO of Forest and Wood Products Australia Ltd (Vic);
• John Kerin, AM FTSE, Consultant (NSW);
• Genevieve Scarfe, Sustainable Development Manager, Lend Lease (NSW);
• Jana Blair, WWF Australia (Vic);
• Fred Gale, Professor School of Government, Uni of Tasmania (Tas).

This independent expert panel undertook the review of the credit and explored the establishment of a fair and transparent framework for assessment of forest certification schemes against international best practice criteria.

Key industry stakeholders will be briefed on the panel’s recommendations in the coming days, and a public announcement of the changes will be made shortly after those briefing sessions and following final GBCA Board approval.