Forest Matters Nov/Dec 2017 by Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) UK

Forest Matters Nov/Dec 2017

Director’s Overview Contents Dear Reader,

News in Brief

4 FSC UK supports the Tree Charter 7

Product Focus – My Paper Tote

8 Sustainable Plantations 10

Risky business?

FSC General Assembly 2017

My General Assembly

Vancouver Declaration

We recognise that not everyone was able to experience the FSC General Assembly in Vancouver last month but I hope that this issue of Forest Matters can bring some of the key elements to you (see News in Brief). How would I describe my experience of the GA? Intense, exhausting, challenging but ultimately uplifting. In an organisation based on three chambers and where there is often no consensus on an issue within any one chamber let alone between the three, it is inevitable that there will be disagreement and, at times, disappointment. Many motions were not approved. Although this could be seen as a failing of the chamber and cross-chamber discussions prior to the assembly, it may signal that the membership is keen for FSC to focus on core issues and continue in the delivery of its strategic plan. Many of the motions that were approved called for further work rather than dictating the specific actions that FSC should undertake. What were my highlights? It was heartening to see the membership unite over Motion 71, reaffirming FSC’s support of Indigenous Cultural Landscapes and, through Motion 56, agreeing on next steps for Controlled Wood. Motion 46 gives FSC the mandate to develop, test and implement new tools to make FSC certification accessible to smallholders, an issue that FSC UK is keen to address. I was inspired to meet and hear from people from all around the world and all sectors, all committed to our common mission. Of course, it was also great fun to dance the night away, as One FSC, at the end of it all!

Rosie Teasdale Executive Director, FSC UK 2

News in Brief

New Staff FSC UK has recently appointed two new interns. Research and Administration Intern is Johanna Hawker, and Owain Farrington has joined the communications desk.

FSC UK in Vancouver The FSC UK team pitched in at the FSC General Assembly, taking minutes, reporting on and presenting at side events and assisting with membership administration.

12 General Assembly Motions

Fifteen motions were approved at the FSC General Assembly, the highest FSC platform for decision-making.

Risky business... or is it? At the recent General Assembly, FSC UK Forest Standards Manager Dr Owen Davies was asked to present suggestions on riskbased approaches drawing on standard development experience in the UK.

15 My General Assembly We hear from economic member Andrew Heald of Confor, environmental member Julia Young of WWF UK and social member Hubert Kwisthout about their experience of the FSC GA 2017.

Tree Charter

The Charter for Trees, Woods and People was launched at Lincoln Castle on 6th November 2017, the 800th anniversary of the 1217 Charter of the Forest.

FSC UK supports the Tree Charter

FSC UK is proud to be one of more than 70 organisations involved in the formation of the Charter for Trees, Woods and People, which was launched at Lincoln Castle on 6th November, the 800th anniversary of the 1217 Charter of the Forest.

he call for a Tree Charter was initiated in 2015 by the Woodland Trust in response to the crisis facing trees and woods in the UK: there was no clear, unifying statement about the rights of people in the UK to the benefits of trees, woods and forests. Over 60,000 tree stories from people, demonstrating the important role that trees play in their lives were collected, read and shared. Together with the input of members of the Charter Steering Group, they helped to define the 10 Principles of the Tree Charter, ensuring that it stands for every tree and every person in the UK.

Charter Principles Sustain landscapes rich in wildlife Each tree is a world within itself, teeming with life. A fallen branch is a feast for beetles, fungal-rich woodland soil is a wildflower bed. A hedgerow is a living network, where a host of creatures share their home. Forests are full of opportunities for people, but their natural wealth is the wildlife. Our future good means thinking in the round, 4

adapting plans to what is on the ground. New urban and transport projects should make routes for our native wildlife to move forward too. Take heed of nature’s needs. Plant for the future When we enjoy the company of a treasured tree or the beauty of a favourite wood we often owe thanks to those with the foresight and confidence to invest in the future. We must show that same generosity of spirit, that same sense of hope for the future, and plant more now. Line streets with living greenery, let trees allow shifting colour into every life. More orchards for communities, more hedges for wildlife, more forests for timber and jobs. Nurture people’s pride in their local trees and empower them to care for their future. Right tree, right place, bright future. Celebrate the power of trees to inspire Stories have always grown on trees. Artists are drawn to their intricacies. Woods are rooted in memories, but it’s the leaf mould of tales told that nourishes future

growth. The poetry of trees is always living, for every older work sends out new shoots. We grow attached to trees in books and learn to look for them in life. We feel connected to trees we know and love to see them painted well. Celebrate Tree Charter Day each year to strengthen this cultural legacy and help our living traditions thrive. Grow forests of opportunity and innovation Forests, woods and trees all flourish under the stewardship of skilled professionals. Trees reward us with fuel for enterprise, craft and invention, green energy and fires. Consider the source of wooden products and choose the home-grown (as the first choice for UK industries) from well-managed forests. Teach the rising generation that with responsible management a wooded land is a thriving nation. Protect irreplaceable trees and woods Ancient woods have been continuously wooded since before records started: they are living descendants from Britain’s prehistory. A tree may be a village’s oldest inhabitant, a founding figure in a region’s identity, a natural monument in the nation’s story. Thorn-bushes and hedgerows harbour our history. Old orchards are habitats for some of our rarest species and living museums of disappearing ways of life. A country that cares for its future cares for its past: we need laws and commitment to protect these irreplaceable natural treasures.

well and help to quell fears of illness, ageing, loss – we breathe more freely under trees. Healthcare and treecare go hand in hand: harness the therapeutic power of trees. The articles of this principal also highlight the use of visible timber products, which have been shown to lower stress and improve mood. Make trees accessible to all Trees offer shared experience to every age, religion and race. In woods people can work together, sharing experiences and learning from each other and their natural surroundings. Those who no longer move with ease can still find pleasure among the trees. Cheerful voices ring through leaves, from makeshift pitches and games of make-believe. There should be room for us all beneath spreading canopies.

Plan greener local landscapes The trees that touch us most are those that live among us, along our street, in the local park, beside our school or place of work. Like us, they grow and change, need space to breathe and support to thrive. Trees give places their distinctive character. Local community networks have a vital role to play in caring for woods and trees. Trees provide long-lasting good, so well-informed planning reaps long-term rewards. Take guidance on planting, felling and replanting from skilled professionals. Good landscapes of the future depend on care for trees today. The articles of this principal also include the prioritisation of sustainable timber as a versatile, costeffective and environmentally friendly choice of building material. Recover health, hope and wellbeing with the help of trees Peace grows quietly in tree-lined places, where bees, fresh scents and birdsong revive our jaded senses. Sprays of greenery ensure cleaner air and clearer minds, and fitter bodies, more inclined to take a walk or meet a friend. Spirits lift and stress recedes when we stroll through healing glades. Parks and woodlands keep us 5

Combat the threats to our habitats Pests, diseases and climate change pose serious threats to our precious trees. Enlightened management of woods will help ensure their future health: planting strong seeds and saplings, selecting species suited to the site, keeping forests mixed in age and kind, regular thinning, combatting invasive plants, and controlling infections and pests at the earliest sign. Strengthen our landscapes with trees From roots that bind and enrich the soil to leaves that shade and shelter, from locking carbon into timber and purifying air and water, trees make our landscapes better. Rising water swells and floods, so strengthen riverbanks with roots. Bare hills need trees to keep the soil stable, to slow the flow of natureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s deluge, to shelter sheep or shade the cattle. The right tree in the right place earns its keep again and again. As farmers and landowners benefit from woods, the country will be strengthened in the years ahead.

Find out more and the sign the charter at https://treecharter.uk/

What was the original Charter of the Forest? In 1217 the Charter of the Forest was signed by Henry III to protect the rights of free men in England to access and use the Royal Forests which had been set aside as the Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hunting grounds. Prior to this, anyone entering Royal Forests to access sustainable benefits, such as firewood, could be punished severely for stealing.

ÂŠ FSC UK / G. Szabo

Product Focus

My paper tote We expect to see the FSC trademark on wooden products and paper such as furniture, journals, packaging and books, but have you ever seen it sitting proudly on a bag?

Product name: Metallic Paper Tote and Metallic Paper Wallet FSC label: FSC Mix Company name: My Paper Tote FSC licence number: FSC-N002731 Licensed since: September 2017 Website: www.mypapertote.com

y Paper Tote are excited to be able to offer a fashion led alternative to leather in our FSC certified washable paper bags and accessories. Our bags are tear resistant, reusable, washable and beautifully crafted from strong paper in a modern and functional way. It can be hard to choose a bag for every day with so many options out there. Our go to material is more often than not leather, chosen for its strength and looks, but this often gives us a heavy bag with the unfriendly environmental issues associated with the material. The paper we use at My Paper Tote is strong

and flexible which makes it a rival to leather in feel, look and durability. When My Paper Tote began in early 2017, FSC certification was top of our agenda. We understand the importance of responsible forestry and ensuring our washable paper is FSC certified means that we are able to offer products that we can be sure are sustainably sourced. We currently offer the popular Metallic Paper Tote in both Silver and Rose Gold and the Metallic Paper Wallet using FSC certified paper. By the end of 2018 we hope all of our bags will be made using FSC certified paper. The paper originates from FSC certified forests in Vermont, USA. It is important to us that we use sustainably sourced paper and we are proud that we are creating products consciously and with our environment in mind. As consumers we seek the trusted FSC logo on traditional wood and paper products so we should expect the same care for the environment when it comes to fashion. Being certified tells are customers that they and us are taking care of our forests. Our paper bags provide the durability of more traditional bags, using a unique material that is conscious of the environment. We are positive that you will fall in love with our bags and the material we use. It is lighter than leather but rivals it’s strength and being washable too means it can always look it’s best even after those daily coffee spills! You can buy My Paper Tote FSC certified products from www.mypapertote.com and follow our Instagram @mypapertote for more insights in to the brand and who we are. All images © My Paper Tote

Guest Feature

Sustainable Plantations

Confor © FSC UK

The New Generation Plantations Project celebrated its 10th anniversary by returning to the UK earlier this year. In 2007 a group of international companies and the Forestry Commission met with WWF to try to share best practice and work together on the sustainability challenges of plantation forestry.

ne of NGP’s biggest success has been developing trust and transparency between the participants. International pulp and paper companies like UPM, Mondi, Stora, Fibria and Navigator are normally business rivals competing for market share but within NGP they cooperate and share sustainability challenges and most importantly sustainability solutions. Andrew Heald of Confor who has worked with NGP since 2010, said “We wanted to bring NGP back to the UK, so that we could show forestry stakeholders, that the challenges facing plantation development here, are common around the world.” Estavao Braga of Brazilian Company Suzano said that “NGP is the best opportunity to show society that well managed plantations, can bring substantial benefits both socially and environmentally, and fight climate change, in a way that few other industries can do. This meeting is a great opportunity to share best practices with leading plantation companies from all over the world.” 8

The NGP meeting was spread out over several days in London, Edinburgh and field trip to Perthshire, to enable as many people as possible to participate and learn from the 10 years of hard work around the world. Tim Liddon of Tilhill who attended the Edinburgh events said that “It was in many ways comforting and disappointing at the same time, that many nations represented in NGP are still coming up against similar issues that we have been through in our relatively recent history of our industry in Scotland.” There are a number of similar international forestry related conferences and dialogue platforms, but NGP is unique in that it focuses so heavily on participation and engagement. There can’t be many events which attract such a diverse audience from Scottish Cabinet Secretaries to Westminster MPs and from major international organisations like WWF and World Resources Institute to the Community Woodlands Association and the Woodland Trust.

The Forestry Commission sponsored and organised many of the week long activities, and their Chairman Sir Harry Studholme at the Westminster reception said that “The challenge we face everywhere is getting trees in the ground. Against a background of finding money, high land prices, issues of landscape and misinformation about the differences between fast growing species and planting native forests, there is much to do. If we are to meet global timber demands, government society, foresters and politicians and NGOs need to be involved in this.” Andrew Heald summarised the week by saying “Often in our daily work, we think our challenges are unique and focused on our local forest our landscape. NGP is a great opportunity to learn and realise that our challenges are global, that our impact and our forestry footprint is global. The UK urgently needs to realise that the demand for forest products will triple by 2050, and that our UK domestic production is set to fall in the same time frame. As WWF points out, we need a lot more sustainable plantations, and we need them now.”

FSC’s position on plantations

For more information about New Generation Plantations visit http://newgenerationplantations.org/

Plantations do play a vital role in helping humans meet their needs.

To a short video about the NGP Edinburgh meeting watch https://youtu.be/DTY1JW8hxwk

FSC defines a plantation as ‘A forest area established by planting or sowing with using either alien or native species, often with one or few species, regular spacing and even ages, and which lacks most of the principal characteristics and key elements of natural forests’. The FSC system grew out of global concern over the loss and degradation of natural forests. FSC supports the responsible use of plantations as a strategy to complement conservation and the sustainable use of natural forests. While plantations cannot replace the richness, stability and beauty of natural forests or the complexity of the services they provide, applying the FSC standards to them ensures that their management is defined by transparency and fairness and minimizes negative environmental and social effects.

By applying the rigorous FSC Principles and Criteria to plantations FSC can help ensure that plantations take, in an environmentally and socially responsible manner, some of the pressure off the world’s remaining natural forests and slow the rate of deforestation. To read more, download FSC and Plantations from https://ic.fsc.org/en/what-is-fsc-certification/ forest-management-certification

Sherwood Forest © FSC UK / W. Arshad

Risky business… or is it?

Risk-based approaches to forest management certification

ne of the objectives of FSC’s Global Strategic Plan is to develop ‘an approach for a streamlined and outcome oriented normative framework’, taking into account ‘action-based learning’ from applying these concepts in the development of national standards. In this context, a priority project has been created to explore risk-based approaches in national forest stewardship standards. At the recent General Assembly, FSC UK Forest Standards Manager Dr Owen Davies was asked to present suggestions on risk-based approaches drawing on standard development experience in the UK. “One aspect of the UK Woodland Assurance Standard that particularly interested the project team was the role 10

of national legislation in standard requirements,” says Owen. In any heavily regulated country, there may be overlaps between national legislation and the requirements of the FSC Principles and Criteria. This is already explicitly recognised in the International Generic Indicators (IGIs) which call for gap analyses between national laws and requirements relating to workers’ rights, gender equality, and health and safety. If relevant laws are widely respected or robustly enforced, this may mean that FSC is adding very little value in these areas. The duplication of legal requirements in standards may frustrate certificate holders or make certification appear more daunting,

and thus pose a barrier to certification. In addition, it may divert the energy of auditors and stakeholders away from issues which may be of greater importance in the national context. “UKWAS currently defers to legal requirements where relevant, but compliance is still audited,” says Owen. “In Vancouver I asked whether we should consider a more radical approach, such as cutting right back on auditing in these areas, or even omitting requirements from national standards altogether. “There would obviously be a lot of issues to resolve in such an approach, but the key question for me is how we can use knowledge of the contents and enforcement of national laws to produce shorter, simpler national standards which are more focussed on issues where FSC can make a real difference in terms of responsible forest management.” Other ideas for risk-based approaches were presented from South Africa, Russia and the United States. The response from the General Assembly audience was very positive. While risk-based approaches may bring benefits to many stakeholders in the FSC system, we hope in particular to find approaches that benefit owners of smaller woodlands. FSC members reaffirmed their support for smaller woodland owners when they passed Motion 46 on smallholder and community certification, which, in addition to risk-based approaches, mentions contractor certification and the need for pilot projects. FSC UK warmly welcomes any initiatives which help to remove barriers to certification for smaller woodland owners, and hopes that it will be possible to field trial one or more new approaches in the UK in the near future. To learn more about the ideas FSC is exploring for risk-based approaches, you can download the full presentation and outlines of some of the case studies from https://ga2017.fsc.org/ https://ga2017.fsc.org/

FSC General Assembly 2017

The general assembly of FSC members, held every three years, is the highest FSC platform for decision-making. The 8th FSC General Assembly 2017 took place in Vancouver, Canada, from 8 to 13 October 2017.

ll FSC members are invited to attend and vote at the FSC General Assembly as well as to formulate and submit motions. It is in this dynamic environment where valuable concerns and constructive criticism are brought into a forum; different stakeholders work together in an equitable way to make important strategic decisions that define the future of FSC. Fifteen motions were approved in Vancouver, we’ve highlighted some of them below: Motion 7: Addressing Past Conversion through Restoration and Conservation as a Requirement for Certification of Plantations that have converted natural forest areas Post 1994

The purpose of this motion is to change the existing 6.10 criteria to allow plantations that were developed, and have converted natural forest areas post 1994, under very specific conditions and requirements, to potentially become certified under the FSC system. There are various requirements, including compensation for past conversion through restoration and conservation. The membership requests that FSC puts in place a mechanism, building upon previous work, which will develop a holistic policy and appropriate treatment at Principle, Criterion and Indicator levels with guidance to national Standards Development Groups, considering compensation for past conversion, in terms of restoration and/or conservation for environmental values and restitution for socio-economic values.

Motion 16: Harnessing audit data to improve assurance integrity, M&E, and the value proposition for FSC The purpose of this motion is to better leverage the FSC forest management audit process to generate consistent and accessible data on FSC certified forests needed to build next-generation assurance and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems that meet demands for evidence on sustainability outcomes and support data-driven improvement of standards. The data generated will support FSCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s decision making, and enable better evaluation and communication of the benefits of FSC certification, and will help reinvigorate the value proposition of FSC.

Motion 21: The Climate Motion This motion is designed to enhance the understanding and communicate the role of the FSC in supporting Parties to the Climate Change Convention. FSC is to commission a review of the scientific literature, including those used by FSC Ecosystem Services, to investigate how FSC may assist Parties (Governments) to address the Cancun Safeguards. The approved findings shall be communicated to FSC members and Parties to the Climate Change Convention. FSC shall also apply to the UNFCCC to join the Climate Change discussions, which will allow the organisation to work directly with signatory Parties (Governments).

ÂŠ FSC AC / G.Howe

FSC can genuinely benefit small-holders, community and Indigenous forest owners to certify and market their NTFP. To this end, FSC shall prioritise NTFPs in the Implementation plan 2017-2020 and be able to demonstrate new and successful tools to aid certification and marketing of NTFP have been developed.

ÂŠ FSC AC / G.Howe

Motion 46: FSC New Approaches Programme as a high-level priority for advancing smallholders and community certification. The purpose of this motion is to support the development, testing and implementation of various tools to improve FSCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s adaptability to small-scale forestry and provide concrete solutions to make FSC certification accessible to smallholders. This revised motion, combining multiple motions, looks to prioritise the new approaches program with an additional focus on group approaches, undertaking a cost assessment and looking at ways to reduce burden and simplifying the approach to contractor certification. Motion 48: Fast-Track Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP) in the implementation plan 2017-2020 This motion is designed to ensure that significant action is taken on delivering real improvement in the certification of a variety of NTFPs worldwide and demonstrate that

ÂŠ FSC AC / G.Howe

Motion 56: Ensuring that the Controlled Wood System is functional and credible until a strategy is in place The membership affirms that the approved standards for the development of National Risk Assessments and the new Controlled Wood (CW) and related Auditor Standards shall be implemented in full. No company based risked assessments will be permissible to use beyond 1 January 2019. The whole spectrum of possible outcomes from phasing out CW to continuing to use CW shall be given fair consideration during the CW strategy development process. A small team representing all three chambers and the diversity of perspectives shall be set up to assist the secretariat in preparing for the CW strategy meeting to be held in June 2018. Motion 71: FSC supports Indigenous Cultural Landscapes Following the failure of motion 38 on Indigenous Cultural Landscapes, which was feared by some social members to be related to the structure rather than the content of the motion, the FSC membership were called upon to confirm their support for Indigenous Cultural Landscapes and respect for Free Prior Informed Consent in Intact Forest Landscapes by approving this new motion, which they did. Visit https://ga2017.fsc.org/motions-outcome/ to view full motion outcomes.

My General Assembly

We asked three UK members from each of the three FSC chambers to tell us a little bit about their take on this year’s GA. Andrew Heald, Confor, Economic Chamber

arlier this year I was contacted by Hans Djurberg (who sits on the International FSC Board, representing Economic North) and asked whether I would be interested in attempting to coordinate the economic chamber at the General Assembly (GA) in Vancouver. As a coordinator my role was to help prepare and support the debate around the Motions, and if possible introduce Motion proposers to other proposers with similar ideas. Also importantly to introduce proposers to FSC staff who could explain if their idea was already “in the pipeline”.

This was my 3rd GA, at the previous one in Seville, there were a lot of metaphors – about oil tankers changing course, and that not only did we need to change course but FSC also needed to convert into several smaller vessels to aid maneuverability and spread the risk. Three years later, what has changed? There were some key positives – there is renewed interest and support for small-holders. A lot of the FSC challenges for smallholders are universal for all forest owners, so solving them should result in significant overall positive change. The pesticide policy is also now more pragmatic and workable; and some of the ideas discussed in FSC 2.0 sessions were very exciting. There were also some challenges; the FSC family is 15

ÂŠ FSC AC / G.Howe

still arguing about Controlled Wood and Intact Forest Landscapes (IFL). Although I think this General Assembly actually helped reach, if not a solution then at least an agreed direction of travel for these key issues. The trade unions renewed their call for a variety of ILO labour issues to be included in Chain of Custody requirements, but their motion was not supported. There was a Motion for a 4th Chamber to represent Indigenous Peoples, but this also failed to attract sufficient support I am concerned that there is a general fatigue particularly around public consultations but also FSC in general, and that some organisations (from all chambers) are continually questioning the â&#x20AC;&#x153;value propositionâ&#x20AC;?. Peter Lantin of the Haida First Nations and a major forest owners, speaking at one of the main plenary sessions, said that they were yet to see any financial benefit of being certified. The General Assembly is democracy red in tooth and claw; some great ideas are rejected and some less good ones are supported. Some members want to see FSC as the platinum standard and to drive forward protection of intact forest landscapes, other members that FSC remain as a market driven mechanism to support the sustainable development of forest products. On the Friday afternoon of the GA, stood in front of a room of 600 people who had spent a week in largely windowless meeting rooms, I am convinced that the passion and determination is still alive to develop better 16

forest management. Our challenge is how to enable those 600 people to work together and to listen better and to trust each other a little more.

Hubert Kwisthout, Social Chamber

he GA 2017 is behind us. It was bigger than any of the ones before it, with some 750 people attending. As always, the days leading up to the actual business meeting when the voting takes place were characterised by a somewhat frantic and, at times slightly chaotic atmosphere. The array of side events that had been organised ranged from informative panels on specific topics to pre-voting caucus meetings in which the many motions that had been

submitted were discussed and prioritised. But, now that the carnival is over and everyone has gone back home, FSC has to digest the results of the voting and find ways to incorporate any new items in an, already very full, package of deliverables. The GA creates a definite buzz and is a good occasion to make contact with members and other stakeholders and to do networking. However, I do have doubts if this way of running the democratic elements of the organisation is sustainable. The model of a membership structure of FSC was chosen to ensure that individuals and organisations with different interests and from different parts of the world had an opportunity to contribute to the development of the FSC system. And, by and large, this system has worked reasonably well to date. But as FSC has grown and its visibility has increased, the responsibilities and pressures on the organisation have multiplied, and the imperfections in the system have become more pronounced. Take the issue of motions. At the GA, FSC members have the opportunity to submit motions. These can cover anything from internal governance issues, adopting new technologies, or matters relating to standards, to FSC’s ability to influence governments. Motions can be seen as a useful indication of the concerns and wishes of the FSC membership. But the number of motions that are submitted is much greater than can be debated at the GA. Furthermore, I wonder how many people actually read through the motions to form a reasoned opinion as to their content, especially as some of these are highly technical or specific. During the GA there is only very limited opportunity to go into the motions in detail, and no in-depth discussions are possible. And, judging from the very limited response to the motions on the motions website prior to the GA, no broad discussion is taking place among the membership either. In view of this, the question must be asked if the mechanism of proposing motions is

really a good way to gauge the will of the membership. For me, it is clear that we need to develop mechanisms to encourage and enable members to engage with FSC in areas that are of importance to them. This requires a different form of organisation. The Governance Review Working Group has put forward a number of proposals to this effect and some steps already have been taken by the secretariat, such as convening regional members meetings. As this is all unchartered territory, it will be a process of trial and error that will take time. But if the outcome should be an organisation able to build a closer relationship with its members, and which takes note and makes use of their input, we’ll have a winning formula.

Julia Young, WWF UK, Environment Chamber

he FSC GA in Vancouver was my second, so I was far better equipped to know what was going on, at least some of the time! A striking point was that about half of the people attending the environmental chamber were at their first GA; new voices to help shape the agenda. With big issues on the table there was a sense that we had to press for change to keep FSC relevant – not just for business, but for all stakeholders’ interests. I have come away with a sense that there is work to do here so that FSC isn’t prevented from evolving by parties who being in, want to keep others out, and that re-affirming FSC as a way to find solutions for forests has to come up trumps as a collective interest. Motion 71, approved as a late last motion, seemed to confirm that this would be possible, but we shouldn’t forget it came out of the rejection of two other motions, with a lot of work having gone into them between the GA’s, so more dialogue around interest and intentions will be required if we are to continue to move forward. Yes, not everything has to be certified, but also – not everyone should be in FSC, if they aren’t willing to work to the shared values beyond their own interest. FSC will need to keep building confidence in its strategic direction and governance – but this is heading in the right direction. We voted against governance motions we felt would hinder this, wanting the Secretariat to take ownership for performance, and look forward to being in a stronger position by the next GA. Ultimately, the GA remains a crucial part of making sure FSC is functioning and supported – I would encourage everyone with a long term interest and investment in FSC try to go at least once, because then you really see how much it takes to deliver and maintain a credible forest certification system, supported not just by one interest group, but by many.

Vancouver Declaration

Businesses that use the world’s resources have a duty to ensure they are responsibly sourced and cared for. Because of this, and as part of our dedication to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, FSC is proud to introduce the Vancouver Declaration. What is the Vancouver Declaration? It’s a public promise made by businesses across the globe to work towards more sustainable sourcing of forest products. It’s also an endorsement of FSC as your preferred choice for certification of forest products. Why should your business support the Vancouver Declaration? • It cements your reputation as a forward-thinking, responsible business • Demand for sustainable products is only going to grow as awareness of climate change and deforestation does

• Y ou’ll be shoulder to shoulder with respected partners •

like Ikea, Mace, Canary Wharf Group and M&S I t shows the supply side of the market we need them to back our commitment to sustainability goals

Show your support and make a difference Whatever part of the industry you work in, you can show your support promising to uphold the principles of this declaration. In doing so, you’ll guarantee a brighter future for the planet and its people. You can learn more and take part at https://ic.fsc.org/en/for-business/ vancouver-declaration

We asked Mikhail Tarasov (MT), Global Forestry Manager at IKEA, and Julia Young (JY), manager of WWF’s Global Forest and Trade Network (GFTN) in the UK, why they feel it’s important that businesses support sustainable forestry and the Vancouver Declaration. What does the declaration mean to you? MT: For me it’s a clear call reaching out to stakeholders including policy makers and everyone else. It’s a big step towards getting the whole industry to act responsibly to secure positive change in the world of forestry. JY: This is a welcome commitment by leading companies to signal that they support FSC as the most credible certification scheme to meet their sustainability targets for foresters. It’s signalling that they want to see robust standards, they want transparency and they are willing to be transparent, which is real progress. Why is this initiative important to your organisation? JY: We already actively encourage people to look for FSC certification when they’re buying products to know that they’re buying something that’s from a forest that’s being well managed for the future. This is the next step forward in that commitment. Naturally, we want to see public statements where a company is making clear its intention to pursue the sustainability agenda, by which it can be held to account. This is about securing forests for the future. And we hope in the future there will be further improvements in terms of environmental and social outcomes. MT: At IKEA, we passionately believe that it’s only responsible business that is sustainable long-term, and that’s the way everybody should be thinking about how they operate. Our customers, the many people whose lives we want to make better, want to see IKEA

acting responsibly. And it’s also one of our core values – caring for people and the planet. And we want to be an inspiration to other businesses. We’re happy to lead and to be at the forefront of development in commitments on forestry. With this declaration, we want to make it absolutely clear where we stand regarding the future of our forests and doing business responsibly. And we want to send a joint message from leading businesses about our bold sustainability commitments, it’s a call for action to those still “considering” and “hesitating”. What would you say to those thinking of supporting the Vancouver Declaration? MT: The Vancouver declaration is a way of inspiring people to make a genuine difference in sustainable forest management. At IKEA, we believe in togetherness and collaborative action. Inclusiveness and an open dialogue are perhaps the main values of FSC. By working together and providing tangible examples we can make sustainable forestry the norm for everyone Businesses need to understand that they can be leaders for change by introducing this ambitious commitment to one of the world’s strictest and most credible certification systems. Anyone can be a leader for change, be bold in your sustainability goals, don’t be afraid to go all for it, that’s the message I’d like to send. JY: The declaration and the support it’s receiving are a real sign that these questions about supply chain, traceability and sustainability are here to stay. It’s in the best interests of companies to get on track and answer this pressure. The Vancouver Declaration will help give brands and businesses a way to communicate and follow up on the credibility they need in this area, showing that the company has invested in sustainability and means to deliver on its promise.

Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) UK is a charity dedicated to promoting responsible forestry. For more information about FSC UK: www.fsc-uk.org info@fsc-uk.org

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Charity number: 1130203 FSC® F000231

FSC in numbers 2,354 Chain of Custody certificates in the UK 1,610,965 hectares of FSC certified forest in the UK 33,120 Chain of Custody certificates worldwide 195,749,313 hectares of FSC certified forest worldwide Latest figures from FSC IC. Correct as of 4 October 2017. The full list of figures can be viewed at https://ic.fsc.org/en/facts-and-figures.