Thank you very much.
I have just come back from Geneva, and that is the reason why I arrived a little late. There a UN committee is working on environmental construction rules and discussing exactly the same issues that have been raised here.
Every country in the world knows, as a result of the 2007 IPCC report, that when wood replaces concrete or steel, greenhouse gas emissions are reduced. What is currently being negotiated is the sequestration of wood products—in other words, the carbon found in wood. Those negotiations will take place in Cancun. Everyone agreed on the science, and now begins the political process to secure acceptance of carbon credits for sequestration. So, in South Africa, it is quite possible that there will be another ton of emissions when wood products are used.
The procedure differs from one country to the next. Some countries have strict policies: wood is included and the volume is calculated to determine the emission level. Other countries are softer. For example, what is proposed here is very soft, in my opinion. If words like “reduce the environmental footprint of public buildings” is too tough, you can use any words you like, because the result will be the same. It is important for Canada to play a leadership role, since we are in fact a wood producer.