All of these tools are being used in ongoing forest operations to adapt and respond to environmental conditions. Through continued improvements in this broad suite of tools, the forest industry will be better positioned to adapt to climate change. Biomass derived from wood or from converting vegetation to biofuels such as ethanol and methanol, when used as a substitute for fossil fuels, helps to reduce CO 2 emissions, increase regional employment and improve the diversity and security of our energy supply. NRCan works in partnership with industry through the Energy From The Forest Program to deal with key issues related to biomass supply such as inventory, growth, harvesting, processing, transportation, environmental impacts, and socioeconomic impacts and constraints. Technology Transfer and Joint Implementation Forests absorb CO 2 from the atmosphere, and they release carbon dioxyde to the atmosphere.
Forest products are also a form of carbon storage.
Currently, an estimated 600 million tonnes of carbon are stored in this form. Research and development is also an important tool to encourage the use of biomass as an alternative fuel. A key component of Canada's commitment to the Framework Convention on Climate Change is to stabilize its GHG emissions at 1990 levels. The Canadian forest industry has had marked success in reducing its CO 2 emissions over the last two decades. NRCan partnered with Forintek in addressing energy issues related to wooden building products.