ACHIEVING ZERO NET DEFORESTATION BY 2020

Global industry network recommends PEFC certification Global forest products companies commit to supporting forest certification

One of the largest global industry networks, the Consumer Goods Forum (CGF), has developed a set of guidelines in support of its resolution to help to achieve zero net deforestation by 2020. Using a three-pronged approach sourcing guidelines, verification and transparency their aim is to assist companies in developing their own policies for sourcing pulp, paper and packaging. As part of this approach, the guidelines highlight PEFC certification as a verification mechanism for companies to reduce the risk of their pulp, paper and packaging originating from controversial sources. PEFC certified products are recommended as providing companies with verification for legality, sustainable forest management (SFM), and low risk of controversial sources contributing to deforestation. The CGF brings together more than 400 retailers, manufacturers, service providers and other stakeholders across 70 countries with combined sales of EUR 2.5 trillion. This includes a wide range of well-known businesses such as Carrefour, Coca Cola, IBM, Johnson & Johnson, Kelloggs, KimberlyClark, Loreal, Nestle, Proctor & Gamble, Tesco and Walmart.

Impressively, 26 of the worlds leading companies along the forest products value chain responsible for nearly 40% of annual global forest, paper and packaging sales, have committed to supporting forest certification systems, such as PEFC, in order to significantly scale up SFM. In their statement, Leadership Statement on the Value and Future of Forest Certification, released by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), Forest Solutions Group (FSG), the companies recognize that reducing forest loss and degradation is a global, societal priority requiring immediate and concerted action. In order to ensure that the supply of independently verified, sustainable wood and other forest products continues to increase to meet growing demand, all 26 FSG member companies committed to: Work with stakeholders to spread SFM; Support and promote the expansion of forest certification; Set 2020 targets to increase the use of certification when sourcing forest products and fiber; Grow markets for certified forest products. The FSG aims to demonstrate leadership in addressing the worlds need for increased sustainable management of natural forests and plantations, as well as wiser use and reuse of forest products, said Jos Luciano Penido, Co-Chair, FSG and Chairman, Brazilbased Fibria.

A WORLD IN WHICH PEOPLE MANAGE FORESTS SUSTAINABLY

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PEFC News - 11 November 2013

PEFC Week

CHINA
Stakeholders show strong interest in forest certification in China
The China Forest Certification Council (CFCC) has established a platform to facilitate interaction with and between Chinese stakeholders interested in promoting forest certification. The CFCC Stakeholder Forum will meet several times per year to provide information and updates about the development of the China Forest Certification Scheme. The inaugural meeting of the Stakeholder Forum was attended by 26 organizations including NGOs, companies, certification bodies, forest industry associations, researchers and government representatives. CFCC joined PEFC International in 2011, and submitted the China Forest Certification Scheme for PEFC endorsement and mutual recognition in 2012. The endorsement process is expected to end shortly.

The workshop was one activity within the ongoing twinning support program between Finnish forest owners and cooperative alliances in Vietnam. The program seeks to share experiences between small forest owners from different parts of the world. Drawing on the Finnish experiences, the program supports the strengthening of forest owner organizations cooperative alliances (provincial level) and individual cooperatives (local commune level). The project aims to increase the capacity of cooperatives and smallholders to implement sustainable forest practices and build stronger business models around their forest resources.

VIETNAM
Cooperatives meet to discuss the potential for PEFC in Thua Thien Hue Province
Trees can sustain livelihoods and provide families with a secure income, but being trapped in a circle of poverty means that people are forced to make decisions based on short-term needs rather than longer term prosperity, said Mr. Ngo Viet Quyt, Director of the Thua Thien Hue Cooperative Alliance (HCA), in relation to the short cutting cycle often employed by forest owners throughout Vietnam. While short cutting cycles may contribute to household income, consideration to forest product optimization and sustainability requirements can increase the social, environmental and economic benefits derived from forest resources. Mr. Quyts comments concluded the workshop held in Hue, Vietnam on 9 September 2013, which introduced PEFC certification to representatives from HCA (an alliance of over 200 cooperatives scattered throughout the Thua Thien Hue province in Vietnam), the provincial Department of Forestry, cooperatives, private companies and NGOs. If we can share the vision with our members and show them the way towards sustainable forest management, we can help them find a way to capture the real value of their trees, Mr. Quyt continued. We must not forget our main objective: increase the living standard of our members by increasing their long-term profit from forestry. Despite the many differences between forests in Finland and Vietnam, as forest owners, we actually have a lot in common, commented Rauno Karpinen, forest expert and Finlands representative to the project. We want to know where to get seedlings, how to best plant them, and when to harvest them to ensure the best value for our resources. In Finland, PEFC is the solution for affordable forest certification for smallholders. Following from the introduction and discussions around PEFC certification amongst stakeholders in Thua Thien Hue Province, project partners will continue working together to design a certification approach to deliver more cost-effective solutions to what is currently available in Vietnam. Forest certification should help people to gain more value and benefits from their forest resources not take it away, stated Sarah Price, Head of Projects and Development, PEFC, commenting on PEFC involvement in the project and PEFC pilot testing. By cooperating on this pilot project, we hope to inject some new ideas into how certification can be affordable and profitable for companies and family forest owners alike, while safeguarding the environmental benefits that forests provide. Clearly, forest resources have the potential to lift people out of poverty in Vietnam and it is our imperative to make certification an opportunity and not a market barrier.

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PEFC News - 11 November 2013

PEFC Week

NEW ZEALAND
The drive towards forest certification
A growing number of countries are demanding verification that timber has been sourced legally and international companies are playing a big role in the push for sustainability. One of these main drivers for certification is the Consumer Goods Forum, a body representing over 400 companies collectively worth around $US3 trillion, including the likes of Proctor and Gamble, Unilever and McDonalds. Together these companies make up 4% of global GDP and they are advocating for legality as well as sustainability throughout their supply chains. Responding to this increasing demand, Standards New Zealand has begun consulting on a draft voluntary standard for SFM, based on the standard used in Australia. With forests making up 3% of New Zealands GDP and about 17,000 employees dependent on this sector, forestry plays an important role within the country. Without certification, timber suppliers are vulnerable to claims of illegally sourced wood and New Zealand-made timber could be blocked from foreign markets in the future.

The Republic of Congo has taken a strong interest in protecting its forests and balancing the need to conserve this resource with the needs to alleviate poverty, promote stability and economic growth. The responsible use of our natural resources is key to the development of the Republic of Congo. Forest certification offers an important mechanism to verify SFM practices, and we are looking forward to working with PEFC to achieve international recognition of our national system, emphasized Minister Djombo. Tropical forests, which house nearly half of the species known on earth, is where forest certification can have the biggest impact, remarked Ben Gunneberg, Secretary General, PEFC, following the meeting. We welcome the leadership of his Excellency, Minister Djombo, which stands to advance certification not only in the Republic of Congo but throughout the entire Congo Basin. Ralph Ridder, General Director, ATIBT, welcomed the initiative. With one of the major challenges in Africa being the robust implementation of certification requirements, there is certainly a need for the wellrespected approach offered by PEFC. Responsible companies in Congo and the Congo Basin are increasingly aware of the unique benefits of PEFC, and we welcome the Ministers commitment to work together with the private sector and civil society, to establish a PEFC option for the Congo.

REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Ministerial delegation visits PEFC
Were committed to working with stakeholders to establish a national forest certification system, meeting international sustainability benchmarks whilst respecting the unique values of our people and forests, said his Excellency, Minister Henri Djombo, Ministry of Forest Economy and Sustainable Development of the Republic of Congo during a visit to the PEFC International office in Geneva, Switzerland. Together with Mr. Grgoire Nkeoua, Forest Advisor, and Mr. Ngoya Kessy, Managing Director of valorization forest resources, the delegation met with PEFC and L'Association Technique Internationale des Bois Tropicaux (ATIBT) to agree collaboration.

THE NETHERLANDS
PEFC the preferred choice
Approximately two-thirds of all certified timber on the Dutch market originates from PEFC certified forests, making PEFC the most popular forest certification scheme in the Netherlands. According to a Probos study published earlier this year, the total volume of certified materiel on the Dutch market continues to grow substantially for both sawnwood and wood based panels. The figure climbed from 13.8% in 2005 to 33.8% in 2008, reaching 65.7% in 2011. In total, over 2.5 million cubic meters of PEFC certified wood was brought onto the Dutch market in 2011, thus doubling the volume from 2008 to 2011. . This increase is due in part to the Dutch governments Biodiversity Program, which set the target for timber with a demonstrably sustainable origin to make up 50% of the Dutch timber market by 2011. This target has now been exceeded. This success is the result of the combined efforts of the Dutch government and the timber sector, with special mention to the companies who chose to purchase sustainably produced products before there was any demand from the market.

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PEFC News - 11 November 2013

PEFC Week

DE ALLIANTIE
Sourcing sustainable wood and paper
De Alliantie, one of the largest housing cooperatives in the Netherlands, requires all its suppliers to provide timber and paper solely from sustainably managed forests, becoming the first housing cooperative in the country to take this step. "Signing the sustainable forest management policy statement is an important moment, but we see this only as a starting point, said Alfred van den Bosch, Director, De Alliantie. Next comes the implementation. We have already identified to what extent De Alliantie is using sustainable wood and paper. Furthermore, and more importantly, we are embedding and increasing this sustainable ambition within our organization and at our suppliers." "De Alliantie regularly takes the lead and initiates cooperation in order to fulfill its mission: housing people well and affordably, said Kees Boon, Chairman, PEFC Netherlands. In order to consolidate the sustainability ambitions within the organization and to enable the company to proceed optimally, De Alliantie requested the expertise of PEFC and FSC. The involvement of all parties in the process, at both policy and implementation levels, gives the biggest chance of success and increases the incentives for owners to manage their forests sustainably.

A Memorandum of Understanding signed by Peter Degodenz, President, Fiemme 2013 Organising Committee, and Pier Luigi Ferrari, Chairman, PEFC Italy, further specified the use of local materials and companies to minimize carbon emissions and in support of the economy of the Trentino region.

LA SICILIA
La Sicilia chooses PEFC-certified paper
La Sicilia, an Italian daily regional newspaper, has started printing on PEFC-certified paper. Thanks to this initiative, every month almost seven hectares of forest will be saved and a further 4.6 hectares of trees will be replanted, reabsorbing 228 tonnes of CO2. "Our choice and the commitment undertaken by La Sicilia demonstrates how an environmentally friendly company policy can promote a message of sustainability and draw attention to the safeguarding of forests, which we hope readers will seize upon and help to support," says Virginio Di Carlo, Production Manager of the newspaper. The Sicilian newspaper will be produced from 60% recycled paper and 40% virgin paper made from wood fibers originating from certified forests. La Sicilia is following the example set by La Stampa, the third most-read newspaper in Italy, which has been printed on PEFC certified paper since 22 April 2012 Earth Day. With 368,000 copies printed daily and reaching 2.3 million readers, the Turin-based paper decided to take this green stance in order to raise public awareness to the increasing number of trees felled illegally in the world.

2013 NORDIC SKI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Forests win with PEFC at championships
From the 2012 London Summer Olympics, to the 2013 Fiemme Nordic Ski World Championships, to the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics the sports world has become increasingly conscious of its potential contribution to SFM by selecting wood-based materials from PEFC-certified forests. "We commend the organizers of the 2013 Nordic World Ski Championships in Val di Fiemme for committing to procuring certified, sustainably sourced material, including brochures, posters, stationary, tissue as well as toilet paper," said Francesco Dellagiacoma, Vice President, PEFC Italy. "The Nordic World Ski Championships are an excellent opportunity to inform the public about the benefits of sustainable forestry and highlight the importance of forest certification. Millions of people will be able to see on TV and live at the events - the beauty of the PEFC-certified spruce forests of Val Di Fiemme, and they will be able to contribute to safeguarding them by looking for the PEFC logo next time they buy wood-based products."

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PEFC News - 11 November 2013

PEFC Week

CENTER PARCS
PEFC at the heart of one of the UKs most sustainable holiday destinations
Center Parcs' new forest village, Woburn Forest, UK, will include a Subtropical Swimming Paradise with a roof structure comprising of 46 glulam beams, with the longest being 70m a record length for a UK scheme drawn from PEFC-certified Austrian larch. In line with Center Parcs commitment to be one of the leading sustainable Large Scale Tourism Destinations in the UK and protect the natural environment, the beams are sustainably sourced and PEFC-certified.

thousands of family forest owners to obtain PEFC certification. With an increasing number of customers demanding certified material, PEFC certification will help small forest owners to derive economic benefits from their sustainably managed forests. To better support their efforts, PEFC is looking to integrate them into its existing group certification project.

HIGHEST WOODEN OBSERVATION TOWER IN THE WORLD

... is PEFC-certified
The opening of the Pyramidenkogel in Carinthia, Austria, sets another milestone for the promotion of sustainable forestry. Imposing, this almost 100m high observation tower spirals into the air, making it the worlds highest wooden observation tower. Yet the Pyramidenkogel does not only offer breathtaking views the main structure is made entirely of wood originating from PEFC-certified, local forests. As [the Pyramidenkogel] is PEFC-certified, it goes without saying that this will set an example for responsible forestry, says Helmut Hdl, Head of Timber Engineering, Rubner Holzbau GmbH, the PEFC-certified company responsible for the tower. For a company such as Rubner, the preservation of forests for future generations, and therefore our sustainable raw materials, is an essential issue. Rubner chose PEFC-certified wood from the region to reduce transport-related carbon emissions and to support the local economy.

BRAZILIAN COMPANIES
Leading Brazilian companies preparing to increase promotion of certification
Further increasing public awareness of the value and benefits that responsible forestry and forest certification provide is becoming a top priority for Brazilian companies major players in the international timber trade market. PEFC-certified companies such as Fibria, International Paper and Suzano, together with Bracelpa, the Brazilian Pulp and Paper Association, have expressed a clear need to increase communication about certification and are exploring options for highlighting the importance of SFM. As labeling is one of the most straightforward and effective mechanisms to do so, I am confident that many of the PEFC-certified products will in the future carry the PEFC label said Ben Gunneberg, Secretary General, PEFC, during his trip to Brazil on October 2013. With the unique circumstances and the challenges that small forest owners face being at the heart of PEFCs activities, PEFC has helped many smallholders in Brazil to obtain forest certification. In addition, Fibria is exploring options to assist

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PEFC Week

COLLABORATION FUND
The 2013 PEFC Collaboration Fund supports local initiatives and promotes sustainability
Through the Collaboration Fund, PEFC is supporting a wide range of activities to advance SFM and forest certification across seven countries on three continents. The awarded combined total is CHF 105,000 and leverages a further CHF 104,000 from co-funding. Each year the Collaboration Fund receives a high number of applications with extremely diverse project ideas, seeking to improve societys ability to understand, manage and value forests for multiple benefits, said Sarah Price, Head of Projects & Development, PEFC. This years winning projects demonstrate great potential for creating positive impact on the ground while contributing to a global community of knowledge.

Spruce syrup the next big thing? Project objectives: Support supply chain development to establish production of spruce syrup from spruce tips (a waste material from tending and harvesting operations); Promote the use of the PEFC logo on this innovative product; Increase the area of PEFC-certified forests in Slovakia. Implementing organization: PEFC Slovakia

Promoting SFM among Latvian forest owners Project objectives: Pilot test group certification within the forest owners cooperative Mesaimnieks; Raise awareness of group certification among forest owners; Increase area of PEFC-certified private forests. Implementing organization: PEFC Latvia

This years winning projects are:

Protecting rare tree species in Malaysia: strengthening procedures for monitoring in Jerangau High Conservation Value Forest area and beyond Project objectives: Reduce the population decline of rare species; Improve forest management practices and advance SFM; Contribute towards the fine-tuning of national level guidelines for managing High Conservation Value Forests. Implementing organization: The Forest Research Institute Malaysia Going online to modernize and expand group forest management certification in the British Isles Project objectives: Develop an English language online group registration and management system for private forest owners; Encourage uptake of the system to increase the area of PEFC-certified forest in the UK and Ireland; Roll the template out across all PEFC member countries where English is the main/common language. Implementing organizations: PEFC UK and PEFC Ireland.

Enhancing rural development in Spain through wild food production Project objectives: Promote PEFC certification among the wild food products sector; Increase the number of PEFC-certified, non-wood products producers; Raise demand for PEFC-certified products within the gourmet food sector; Improve PEFC awareness among the global society. Implementing organization: PEFC Spain.

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PEFC News - 11 November 2013

PEFC Week

EUTR ALIGNMENT
Companies globally benefit from PEFCs EUTR alignment
With the 2013 PEFC Chain of Custody standard, companies have a straightforward, tried-and-tested mechanism at their disposal to demonstrate alignment with the European Union Timber Regulation (EUTR) requirements. "PEFC has become the first global forest certification system to align its Chain of Custody standard with EUTR requirements, providing businesses along the timber value chain with the option to comply with the regulation through a mechanism that has already been successfully implemented in more than 10,000 companies globally" said Ben Gunneberg, Secretary General, PEFC. PEFC Chain of Custody certification offers more benefits than simply satisfying regulatory needs it provides companies with access to markets that are increasingly demanding sustainably sourced, PEFCcertified products. The EUTR also affects companies outside the European Union (EU) as their products may be imported into the EU further down the supply chain. The EUTR prohibits the placing of illegally harvested timber on the European market in an effort to tackle the global problem of illegal logging. It sets out requirements that companies within the EU must meet to minimize the risk of illegal timber being traded.

We use the PEFC label on our products and marketing collateral to communicate our commitment to SFM to our customers, said Christopher Davidson, Director of Sustainable Forestry, MeadWestvaco. The PEFC Label Generator is an excellent way to simplify this process. Companies that already have obtained a valid PEFC Logo Usage License will receive further information about the PEFC Label Generator through their national PEFC member organizations

QUANTIFYING THE IMPACT OF CERTIFICATION

Life Cycle Assessment can quantify the impact of forest certification, study shows
Companies can measure and minimize the environmental footprint of the wood-based products they source, according to a recent study by Quantis. The study confirmed that it is possible to quantify, to a certain extent, the impact differential between certified and non-certified forest products within Life Cycle Assessments (LCA). "This development is extremely beneficial to everybody wishing to quantify the impact of their responsible timber sourcing practices and integrate it within product life cycle assessments," commented Sarah Price, Head of Projects & Development, PEFC. Corporations and consumers alike want to better address the sustainability of the products they manufacture and consume. However, product sustainability is multifaceted and requires diverse management approaches. One of these approaches is life cycle assessment, a technique for assessing environmental impacts associated with all the stages of a product's life from cradle-to-grave. Responsible companies source certified forest products because they know it is the right thing to do, but until now, they have been unable to quantify the real impact of that decision on climate change, human health and/or ecosystem quality, Ms Price continued. PEFC saw this as an opportunity and partnered with Quantis to develop new LCA datasets and fill this gap. Quantis identified deforestation as the basis for differentiating the environmental impacts of certified and non-certified forest products. By definition, certified wood comes from forests under SFM, where a holistic management approach is used to maintain the forest now and in the future. Non-certified wood, on the other hand, does not have the sustainability assurance and therefore may be linked to deforestation. The resulting process and datasets from the project thus integrate a shared impact or responsibility of deforestation across all non-certified forest products.

NEW GENERATION LABEL GENERATOR

PEFC benefits certified companies
PEFCs new Label Generator makes it easier for businesses to create PEFC labels. The intuitive, online tool generates PEFC labels within minutes and provides everything needed to put a PEFC label on products and promotional materials. Companies are increasingly using the PEFC label to distinguish their certified products, said Ben Gunneberg, Secretary General, PEFC, and the new Label Generator will hopefully encourage further uptake. Use of the PEFC logo and labels enable certified companies and forest owners to: Demonstrate their commitment to sustainable development and corporate social responsibility; Attract environmentally- and socially-minded customers and consumers; Help to generate awareness and demand for products from PEFC-certified forests; Highlight their engagement with SFM.

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PEFC News - 11 November 2013

PEFC Week

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