1	Ensuring Sustainability: to certify or not Dr Ruth Nussbaum ProForest
2	Why consider sustainability? Forests are under pressure from: Illegal logging Unsustainable harvesting Conversion to other uses Natural disasters like fire, wind and floods
3	Why consider sustainability Many customers and investors are demanding sustainability: Government procurement UK government playing a leading role Other EU governments following Companies Many individual companies have a policy WWF Global Forest and Trade Network Investment banks Many major banks have a forest policy
4	Why consider sustainability? Focus of NGO campaigns Concern covers all forest types Major risk to brands and organisations
5	Sustainability: what is it? No single definition, though all include economic, social and environmental requirements Global principles possible but requires local interpretation Biodiversity depends on forest type Workers’ welfare depends on socio-economic context
6	Buying sustainable timber What are the issues: What is the appropriate definition of sustainable for the forest source Was the forest managed in line with the definition Is the timber actually from that forest (supply chain traceability)
7	What are the options? Certification Other third party schemes ‘Category B evidence’
8	Certification Standard Defines what is meant by ‘sustainable forest management’ Forest certification Confirms forest management conforms with standard Chain of custody certification Confirms that material purchased is really certified
9	Certification Two main international systems Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Widely accepted by market Popular with NGOs Globally applicable Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes (PEFC) Less market share Popular with forest industry Globally applicable once developed
10	Other third party schemes Certification is difficult in many countries Several schemes to encourage and track progress to certification Most based on legality or progress to FSC Tropical Forest Trust Smartstep
11	‘Category B’ approaches Everything except certification From UK Government definition Sometimes works but a number of issues
12	Issues with Category B Defining ‘sustainable’ Need to decide which global principles to use Need a locally-appropriate definition Checking the forest or forests met the standard Can this be done without an audit? Understanding the supply chain
13	Understanding the supply chain Some supply chains are simple Most supply chains are very complex
14	Conclusions Sustainability matters in the timber industry Forest destruction Customer demand Risk management There are a variety of ways sustainability can be demonstrated Certification is a good option