forest stewardship council ® fsc, a.c. all rights reserved certification does matter! the forest...

Forest Stewardship Council

® FSC, A.C. All rights reserved

Certification does matter!

The Forest Stewardship Councilfrom researchers’ perspective

November 2009

M. Karmann, A. Smith FSC International Center


® FSC, A.C. All rights reserved 2

FSC was established to…

promote

• environmentally appropriate,

• socially beneficial, and

• economically viable

…management of the world's forests.



• Setting standards that reflect agreed principles for responsible forest management

• An accreditation/certification system that monitors adherence to FSC standards

• A product labelling system that rewards responsible forest managers.

It does this through…



• Conformity with agreed principles for responsible forest management

• Usually requires improvements / changes of forest management practices

• Changes Corrective Actions Requests (CARs)

• CARs monitored

Forest Management certification …



Independent Researchers’ Findings

• Screening of 300 research papers in 2007

• Collection of studies (please: send what you have!)

• Networking with researchers

• Case studies, CAR analyses, experiments, ...



Measuring contributions to FSC’s mission

• Analysis of certified forest management units

• Analysis of certification reports CARs

• Case studies of FSC influence on the environment (incl. social, econonic issues)

• Studying independent researchers‘ findings.



Environmentally, socially and economically appropriate …

© 2001 Erik Goethals / FSC


® FSC, A.C. All rights reserved 8® FSC, A.C. All rights reserved FSC-SECR-0002 Presentation April 19, 2023 · 8

CAR analyses:

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Conversion to non-forest uses

Exotic species andpests

Chemical use anddisposal

Regeneration andreforestation

Roads and skid trails

• Analysis of 129 FM certificates with 2099 CARS in 21 countries:

• Main improvements:biodiversity and fm planning!



WWF, RA: Summary of findings

• improved fm planning: inventories, monitoring, eval.;eg: permanent sample plots

• improved silvicultural techniques; e.g. introduction of RIL

• introducing biodiv. conservation measures, incl.:

• improved riparian and aquatic management

• improved treatment of sensitive sites and HCVFs

• improved treatment of threatened & endangered species

•prohibition of GMOs and of avoidable use of toxics.



Rainforest Alliance …

“FSC certified operations with

higher % of plantation area tend to have

significantly larger strict reserve areas”

(FSC Principle10.5)



Trans-boundary forest conservation

WWF Malaysia (2007):

Deramakot forest reserve - part of the “Heart of Borneo” secures forest corridor

• for peoples socio-economic benefits

•AND large tracts of forests for conservation of Borneo’s pygmy elephants, rhinos and orangutans.



Maya Biosphere Reserve

Fire incidences from 1998 to 2007

in FSC concessions: from 6.5 % to 0.1%

Rest of the reserve: 7 - 20% .

Aver. annual deforestation rate btw 2002-2007:

in FSC concession significantly lower than

within protected areas where harvesting of wood and NTFP is prohibited!



FSC Principle 4: Workers4.2 FM should meet or exceed all applicable laws and/or regulations covering health and safety of employees and their families.

4.3 The rights of workers to organize and voluntarily negotiate with their employers shall be guaranteed (ILO 87 and 98).

4.4 Management planning and operations shall incorporate the results of evaluations of social impact. Consultations shall be maintained with people and groups directly affected by management operations.”



WWF 2005 …“FSC certification has led to improvements across all 6 countries in •implementation of H&S legislation:

provision of better equipment & traininguse of safety proceduresproperly qualified forest workers formal job training increased.

•Employment of local people favored. •Rural development strengthened through involvement & participation of neighbors, local stakeholders & communities in forest planning & decision making.”



NELSON Forest Peoples Programme 2006

…“particularly in Kabo concession, CIB is implementing a wide range of far-reaching measures designed to comply with FSC Criteria under P2 & 3.

Implementation P2&3 by CIB represents a significant advance in the protection of indigenous peoples’ rights in the Rep. of Congo and the region generally, and sets a new high standard for forestry in the Congo Basin.”



Cashore, Auld & Newsom 2004

“The influence of the FSC on SFM is not simply through its own rule development, but also on the impact it has had on the way competing programs develop their decision making processes and their procedural and substantive rules (…).”



Carey & Guttenstein 2008“In Bolivia, the government recognizes FSC standards to protect its threatened tropical forests and improve natural resource management in its forest sector.

In Canada, (…) specify the FSC standard in their public procurement policies.

China has integrated FSC standards in its National Forest Strategy.

Denmark, Japan, New Zealand, Bolivia* and Guatemala* governments accept FSC as proof of sustainability & legality for timber in their public procurement policy.

(* standard is not named.)



FSC Charles de Gaulle Str. 553113 BonnGermany

T +49 (0) 228 367 66 0F +49 (0) 228 367 66 30

email: [email protected]: www.fsc.org

THANK YOU



Integrated pest managementExample FSC Germany Criteria & Indicator 6.6.2

• “In principle, chemical biocides and biological control agents are not used.

• Exceptions are official pest-control orders. • certifier is notified prior to the ..application. • rationale for the use of biocide is provided• application is documented for review.

• Where alternatives exist, biological control agents (eg. BT-preparations) are preferred. (…)

• Wood which has been treated with chemical biocides may only be marketed as FSC-certified after six months …..”



a market driven mechanism

to improve forest management worldwide.

It does this through…



•• Forest certification in the endangered tropical forests of the economic south

• For small forest owners

• Growing the market share for FSC certified products,

• including ecosystem services

Cross- cutting themes



Our vision

The world’s forests

meet the social, ecological, and economic rights and needs of the present generation

without compromising those of future generations.

forest stewardship council ® fsc, a.c. all rights reserved certification does matter! the forest...

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