Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled a C$1.25 billion package aimed at transforming Canada’s softwood lumber sector. The measures include up to C$700 million in loan guarantees, C$500 million for product and market diversification, and C$50 million for retraining, reskilling, and income support for affected workers. This initiative is part of a broader industrial strategy to invest …
New Federal Support for Softwood Lumber Industry Read More »
Airbus partnered with Bogor Agricultural University to assess the potential for producing SAF from Indonesia’s vast biomass resources. With an estimated 500 million tonnes of biomass available annually, the project targets agricultural residues, such as palm waste and rice straw. Key challenges include logistics, regulation, and sustainability concerns such as deforestation and habitat risks. Read …
India is the world’s fifth-largest biofuels market. Following a period of lacklustre growth in the late 2000s and early 2010s, and a failure to achieve mandated targets, political interest in biofuels has significantly increased, driven by a confluence of agricultural, social, and environmental factors. In the article, Stillwater Associates characterizes the market, key biofuel policies …
Spotlight on India’s Biofuel Market: It’s All about the Sugar Read More »
John Deere expanded its renewable fuel capabilities by approving the use of B30 biodiesel across all Tier 4 engines, up from the previous B20 limit. The move supports the adoption of higher renewable fuels in agriculture and reflects the company’s long-standing commitment to low carbon equipment solutions. Additionally, all spark-ignition turf and utility engines are …
John Deere Approves B30 Biodiesel for Tier 4 Engines Read More »
September 1, 2025, marks Sweden’s Bioenergy Day, indicating that bioenergy could meet the country’s energy demands for 122 days or the remainder of the 2025 calendar year, based on Eurostat’s figures for 2024 – a few days fewer than in 2024. Read More
The UK government approved Evero’s Ince Biomass plant in Cheshire to proceed as the country’s first commercial-scale bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) facility. The project will process 170,000 tonnes of waste wood annually, remove 217,000 tonnes of CO₂, and supply clean power to over 100,000 homes. It is expected to be operational by …
UK’s First Commercial-Scale BECCS Project Approved Read More »
The European Union is grappling with its worst wildfire season on record, with over 1 million hectares burned—breaking past data and shattering previous records. These fires have already emitted approximately 37 million tonnes of CO₂, jeopardizing the carbon-absorbing capacity of EU forests. Scientists warn that such intense and frequent wildfires increasingly threaten the continent’s ability to sequester …
EU Faces Record Wildfire Season That Threatens Forest Carbon Sinks Read More »
The StrongerBC Future Skills Grant allows British Columbians aged 19 years or older to receive up to $3,500 per person for eligible short-term skills training at public post-secondary institutions. Funding is limited and will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. BCBN’s LCA micro-certificates are among the eligible programs. Read More
At the 2025 Fuel Ethanol Workshop, McCord Pankonen of EcoEngineers joined Ethanol Producer Magazine to discuss carbon intensity (CI) tracking, LCA, and the ethanol industry’s role in low-carbon innovation. He emphasized the shift toward third-party verified data, digital QA systems, and the growing demand for accurate carbon accounting across jurisdictions. The episode underscores the importance …
Podcast: FEW 2025 Podcast Series: Live with EcoEngineers Read More »
In this episode of YourForest, Dr. Gary Bull, Professor Emeritus at UBC, joins host Matthew Kristoff to explore bold ideas for a more sustainable forestry future. The discussion encompasses carbon storage, biodiversity, forest-based bioeconomy, and the necessity to reassess practices such as the Annual Allowable Cut. Dr. Bull emphasizes shifting away from fear-driven policy and …
Podcast: Rethinking Forestry with Dr. Gary Bull, UBC Read More »
Project Director
Tasha Booth comes with a strong background in developing and managing educational programs in the non-profit sector. Currently, at BC Bioenergy Network, she leads curriculum development for micro-credential courses, overseeing each project from concept through launch and ongoing improvement. She collaborates with subject matter experts to ensure content quality and manages all aspects of project execution, including partnerships, timelines, budgets, and reporting.
Previously, as a Continuing Education Coordinator at Engineers and Geoscientists BC, Tasha developed programs in environmental sustainability, mining, and equity, diversity, and inclusion. Her experience spans university and regulatory settings, focusing on collaboration, innovation, and building strategic partnerships. Tasha is passionate about creating impactful learning experiences that support professional growth. She holds a Business Administration degree from BCIT.
Business and Marketing Manager
Petra graduated from the Czech University of Life Sciences in 2016 with a Master’s Degree in Sustainable Rural Development in Tropics and Subtropics. She worked for the Czech Development Agency as a grants administrator for projects in the Czech Republic and partnering countries. In this role, Petra facilitated collaboration among the government, NGOs, and the academic sector, supporting initiatives that promoted awareness of development cooperation and capacity building. Her work took her to Moldova and Zambia.
As an adrenaline and safety enthusiast, Petra completed “Survival Training for Journalists and Humanitarian Aid Workers,” organized by the Czech Armed Forces. She later moved to Vancouver in 2019, where she enjoyed exploring Canadian nature and engaging in sports. Passionate about travelling and animal rights, she continues to seek new experiences.
Currently, as the Business and Marketing Manager at BC Bioenergy Network, Petra oversees marketing and communications, events, finances, reporting, and administration.
Project Director
Growing up on an orchard in the Okanagan, Ralohn cultivated a strong interest for sustainability and natural systems that sparked a seven-year career as an environmental professional in the energy industry. Throughout his experience at a consultancy firm, he built a proven track record of delivering small and large-scale projects on time and within budget for over 30 clients on 50+ projects. He completed a Master of Engineering Leadership in Green Bio-Products from the University of British Columbia in 2017 and holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from the University of Calgary. As Project Director, he will support and deliver on the advancement of renewable and bio-based products through collaboration with BC Bioenergy Network’s community of businesses and innovators.
In addition to his passion for the bioeconomy and sustainability, Ralohn is an avid biker, adventurer and volunteer for a variety of personal and professional interests.
Director
Paul is a Business and Corporate Development Executive in advanced technology enabled infrastructure projects, systems, products and services.
Paul has worked throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia in private and public sectors, as well as not-for-profit organizations. Building international commercial alliances and investment relationships has been his focus while working for the Federal Government of Canada and its affiliates, in addition to executive roles with several foreign multi-nationals and Canadian corporations, including Mitsubishi Corporation, Hughes Aircraft Company, Telus and MDSI Mobile Data Systems Inc. Currently, Paul is with Fort Capital Partners, a Vancouver based boutique investment bank serving clients’ advisory and capital raising needs across a broad spectrum of industries. Prior to joining Fort Capital, Paul served as Regional Director for Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC), a $1B+ foundation created by the Government of Canada focusing upon demonstration of pre-commercial technologies to deliver cleaner air, water, soil and reduction in greenhouse gases. Paul maintains a global network of corporate strategic, institutional and family office venture capital investors and government agencies and connects investors with private Canadian companies seeking growth capital.
Paul graduated from Queens University in Economics and completed an executive marketing program at UCLA. He loves living and learning in Vancouver, a leading centre for knowledge-based industries that is coupled with unsurpassed variety and access to outdoor activities in the Pacific Northwest.
Director
Dr. Scott Stanners has worked for over fifteen years in bioenergy technology evaluation and investment and has grown a 4,000+ network in the bioenergy sector. Scott serves as Executive Director at BC Bioenergy Network, a not-for-profit funding agency that has invested over $20 million in first-of-its-kind bioenergy demonstrations in B.C. Scott previously worked for a US-based technology marketing company and a Canadian engineering and management consulting company.
Scott is past-President of Pacific Energy Innovation Association; Managing Director of West Coast Bioenergy Guild; former Board Member at Canada, Australia & New Zealand Business Association; and Advisor at Eagle Energy. Scott has contributed as a mentor in the BC Innovation Council New Ventures Competition and Connecting Environmental Professionals, and as an interviewer for the Doctor of Medicine Program at UBC. Scott was awarded a PhD and a Graduate Certificate in Innovation and Enterprise from the University of Sydney, Australia in 2008, a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Calgary in 2000, and a professional Master of Business Administration from the University of British Columbia in 2022.
Director
David A. Bennett is Director, Renewable Gas and Low Carbon Fuels for FortisBC Energy Inc.
He is responsible for providing leadership to growing our renewable energy portfolio, which is a key component focused on our transition to a low-carbon future. In his former role he was responsible for all corporate and customer communications and public affairs including municipal, provincial and federal government and indigenous relations, including managing FortisBC’s consultation on its major infrastructure projects.
David has been involved in the energy industry for over 30 years, holding positions with Shell Canada, Westcoast Energy and FortisBC. During that time, his roles have included work in marketing and customer service, gas supply, business development, energy efficiency and conservation programs, public affairs and communications.
David is a Director on the Surrey Board of Trade, the Private Sector Co-Chair of the Pacific Northwest Economic Region, a member of the Executive Committee and Policy Chair of the National Electricity Roundtable and Chair of the Invasive Species Council of British Columbia.
David holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Victoria with a double major in economics and computer science.
Director
Vivian Kan is a Director in the Cleantech Practice at BDC Capital Inc. Vivian has over 15 years of experience in business development, structuring, risk analysis, and commercial and corporate finance. She has helped some of Canada’s top exporters and emerging global entrepreneurs in sectors ranging from cleantech, oil and gas, mining, transportation, infrastructure, light manufacturing, life sciences, aerospace, forestry pulp and paper, and consumer products. Vivian holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from the University of Calgary and has completed the Certificate in Carbon Finance from the University of Toronto’s Centre for Environment.
Chairperson
Dave Schick is the Vice President of the Canadian Fuels Association. He has worked in the downstream energy business for over 30 years, primarily for a major integrated oil company in a variety of government relations, marketing, systems development, planning and finance roles, including his position as the Director of Policy and External Affairs at Parkland Fuel Corporation. Dave is active in the development of environmental policy at the federal, provincial and local levels. Recent activities include technical development of the Clean Fuel Standard and evolving the B.C. Low Carbon Fuel Standard to meet CleanBC targets. He has served as chair of the B.C. Used Oil Management Association for over 11 years.
