Wood procurement policy: An analysis of critical issues and stakeholders

2001 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 325-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Bull ◽  
S. Nilsson ◽  
J. Williams ◽  
E. Rametsteiner ◽  
T. Hammett ◽  
...  

During the last two decades, the ecological, cultural and social values of forests have received stronger priority by society. To address the changes in values in a forest products context, major wood and non-wood retailers are being asked to develop a wood procurement policy which defines the sources from which a company or organization will or will not obtain the wood or wood products it requires. Many interest groups are actively advising companies and organizations that are currently developing wood procurement policies, and continue to urge other retailers to commit to developing such policies. However, there is a welter of inconsistent and confusing wood procurement policy terminology that has been created, and is unlikely to successfully advance the cause of sustainable forest management in the medium and long term, at least in North America. In many cases, the broader objectives of the policies are not clear and this, as well as the lack of discussion between all relevant parties, is likely to create difficulties in policy implementation and in consumer acceptance. This paper describes and analyzes the current and emerging stakeholders and the processes that are necessary for successful wood procurement policy implementation – setting objectives, developing terms and definitions, identifying indicators, linking with data available and verifying data. Particular attention is given to exploring the problems with existing terms and definitions. We conclude that definitions and data collection standards need clarification, regional differences in forests need to be recognized, methods for data validation developed, and target deadlines for full implementation of a wood procurement policy possibly extended. The next steps could be a series of meetings between key stakeholders, including the wood and non-wood industries, forest products industry, certifying and standard-setting bodies, and ENGOs. These meetings are needed to advance the discussion on definitions, standards, and data to use with the goal of effectively connecting wood procurement policy with sustainable forest management. Key words: policy, forest, wood procurement, definitions

Author(s):  
Kezang Choden ◽  
Bhagat Suberi ◽  
Purna Chettri

Forests are natural carbon reservoirs that play an important role in the global carbon cycle for storing large quantities of carbon in vegetation and soils. Carbon stored in pool helps in mitigating climate change by carbon sequestration. The vulnerable countries to changing climate such as Bhutan, Nepal, and India require a full understanding of carbon dynamics as well as baseline data on carbon stock potential to mitigate anticipated risks and vulnerabilities (RVs) through climate change. The scope of such RVs are trans boundary in nature, however, the comparative studies at regional scale are still scanty. Therefore, the aim of this review is to assess the carbon stock potentials of selected forest types in the eastern Himalayan area, with an emphasis on Bhutan, India, and Nepal. This review paper is based on published articles, information from websites and considerable data from National forestry reports of India and Bhutan; emphasizing on aboveground biomass and soil organic carbon stock. The review showed that carbon stock potential is highly dependent on stand density, above-ground biomass, species richness and forest types. The sub-tropical forest was found to have larger carbon capacity and sequestration potential. SOC concentration and tree biomass stocks were significantly higher at the high altitude where there is less human disturbance. In general, forest coverage has increased compare to previous year in Bhutan, India and Nepal which ultimately leads to higher carbon stock potential. It is mainly due to strong policies and different strategies for conservation of forest management have reduced mass destruction despite a growing population. Despite the rules, deforestation continues to occur at various scales. However, it can be stated that the government and citizens are working hard to increase carbon stock potential, mostly through afforestation and community forest creation. In addition, it is recommended to practice sustainable forest management, regulated and planned cutting of trees and proper forest products utilization.


1999 ◽  
Vol 75 (5) ◽  
pp. 811-820
Author(s):  
Andrew M. Carpenter ◽  
Winifred B. Kessler

Forest certification programs establish standards for sustainable forest management (SFM), and processes for evaluating the practices of companies relative to those standards. FORESTCARE is a volunteer, provincial-level certification program initiated by the Alberta Forest Products Association, its members, and stakeholders. Using a participating woodlands operation in northern Alberta as a test case, we examined how SFM criteria are applied in the FORESTCARE program, and whether measurable progress is evident. We also compared the FORESTCARE audit process with corporate and government audits performed in the same year. The test case revealed specific, measurable changes in management that represent actual or potential progress toward SFM. However, the improvements could not be directly attributed to the FORESTCARE Program. Recommendations are provided for strengthening FORESTCARE processes and practices. Key words: Alberta forestry, ecosystem management, FORESTCARE, forest certification, forest planning, public participation, sustainable forest management


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 2670 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Chamberlain ◽  
Christine Small ◽  
Michelle Baumflek

Many of the plants and fungi that are harvested for nontimber products (e.g., foods, medicines, crafts) are critical to healthy forest ecosystems. These products also are essential to rural societies, contributing to the material and nonmaterial composition of communities and cultures. Product sales make important contributions at all economic scales, from household to national economies. Nontimber forest products (NTFPs) have been harvested for generations, sometimes centuries, yet they are seldom integrated into forest management. Few methods exist for inventory and assessment, and there is little evidence that harvests are sustainable. This article examines three elements of sustainable forest management for nontimber products: sociocultural, economic, and ecological, and elaborates with detailed examples of edible and medicinal species from United States (U.S.) forests. We synthesize the state of knowledge and emerging issues, and identify research priorities that are needed to advance sustainable management of NTFPs in the United States. Despite their social, economic, and ecological values, many of these species and resources are threatened by the overuse and lack of management and market integration. Sustainable management for nontimber products is attainable, but much research and development is needed to ensure the long-term sustainability of these resources and their cultural values, and to realize their economic potentials.


1999 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 208-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc-André Côté

Supporters of forest and wood product certification are generally seeking to improve forest management and to ensure market access to forest products. Although wood products certification can be seen as an interesting marketing tool, it is doubtful whether it will improve forest management at the international level. Forest and wood product certification is already seen as a complementary tool to other existing instruments such as regulations and subsidies. However, a closer analysis shows that certification could be focused on the wrong countries, management units, scales of management, actors and problems to be potentially effective. This article aims to assess the possible impact of certification processes on the worldwide forest environment. The identification of possible limitations of forest product certification process could help to make that instrument more effective. Key words: forest certification, environmental impact


2011 ◽  
Vol 162 (4) ◽  
pp. 107-116
Author(s):  
Jürgen Blaser ◽  
Christian Küchli

Around one third of the earth's surface is under forest cover which is distributed more or less equally between industrialised and developing countries. Whereas forest areas in the temperate and boreal climate zones are more or less stable or on the increase, the scale of deforestation and forest degradation in the tropics remains dramatic. This situation is likely to continue in the decades to come because the world's ever-growing population needs new agricultural land and the pressure on resources (forest products, land, water, minerals) continues to increase as a result of globalisation and global change. Moreover, sustainable forest management has not yet become standard practice in many southern countries because forest management can rarely compete with other forms of land use in terms of economic returns. The protection and sustainable management of forest resources is basically the responsibility of each individual country and cannot be regulated and financed globally. However, enormous financial resources, i.e. on a scale of tens of billions of Swiss francs per year, are required for the introduction of comprehensive land-use planning in developing countries incorporating suitable protection of natural forests and sustainable forest management. New approaches for the valorisation of services provided by forests such as carbon sinks (e.g. REDD+) offer significant potential for improving forest protection and sustainable forest management. It augurs well that the economic internalisation of the forest and its services is in full swing at global level and that, based on the REDD+ resolutions passed at the last climate conference in Cancún, many countries have opted for the path of forest conservation and sustainable forest management.


Author(s):  
Jose Mbenga Ibesoa

This article attempted to define a compromise making it possible the satisfaction of the material needs of the populations living within the National park of Salonga while ensuring the conservation of long-term forest resources. The management of the forests requires deepened knowledge of the resources and the participation of the local communities, which are the better, informed on of the forest resources. The implementing of a policy on sustainable forest management would be possible by a better integration and participation of the local populations. A survey was carried out in four villages of the National park of Salonga. The results of the investigation show clearly a positive attitude of the rural populations with regard to the forest resources. The diversity of the needs for the population corresponds to the choice of the products and services of the forest. Overall, the potential of the park’s forests is superior in comparison with the needs of the population. The exploitation of the forest products is vast and is included in the category of a system of an economy of collection.


1996 ◽  
Vol 72 (3) ◽  
pp. 247-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tony Rotherham

Increasing demand for forest products and other forest benefits, coupled with widespread public concern about the management of diminishing forest resources are leading governments to move in the direction of a convention on forests, and the private sector to consider the benefits of sustainable forest management certification. Canada is developing a national standard based on ISO 14001 EMS. Several countries support the development of an internationally applicable standard through ISO.


2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 197-218
Author(s):  
Y.S. Rawat ◽  
A.T. Tekleyohannes

The objective of this study was to examine existing knowledge on forest products development and to promote sustainable forest management in Ethiopia. Furthermore, the paper aimed to assess the development and status of Ethiopia's forest products industry in terms of resource base, manufacturing and marketing. It was found that the current annual fuelwood consumption is about 133M m3, with 90% of cooking energy obtained from woody biomass. Wood consumption for primary and secondary forest products manufacturing is expected to increase from the current 112M m3 to 158M m3 by 2033. This review reveals that the development and innovation of a sustainable forest products industry in Ethiopia should balance the production and ecological functions of forest resources. To meet Ethiopia's primary and secondary forest products needs, it is recommended that a clear policy framework be advanced and promoted, including wood technology, forest science and education, silviculture, and post-plantation management practices.


2011 ◽  
Vol 87 (05) ◽  
pp. 636-643 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Chen ◽  
Anna Tikina ◽  
Robert Kozak ◽  
John Innes ◽  
Peter Duinker ◽  
...  

A nation-wide survey of wood products retailers was conducted to examine their perceptions related to forest certification and its impacts in the market place. Four widely accepted forest certification standards were taken into account: International Organisation for Standardization (ISO) 14001, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), and the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Z809 Standard. The survey inquired about the economic impacts of forest certification, namely wood purchasing policies and the potential for price premiums on certified wood products. The responses indicated that most retailers had no particular purchasing policies for certified products. However, they reported up to a 20% price premium on certain certified products, although the number of consumers who request certified wood products was small (less than 10%). The retailers also indicated that the most important reasons for buying or selling certified forest products revolved around improved company image, being an environmental leader in the field, and maintaining or increasing market share. Finally, respondents felt that forest certification had minimal impacts on the social aspects of forest management, while the environmental and economic aspects of forest management were perceived to be subject to more marked changes.


2003 ◽  
Vol 154 (12) ◽  
pp. 480-488
Author(s):  
Albrecht Bemmann ◽  
Karl Peter Hasenkamp

Since the beginning of industrialisation the CO2 content in the Earth's atmosphere has increased from approx. 280 ppmv to approx. 370 ppmv today. Despite all national measures and international agreements to reduce them, CO2 emissions will roughly double over the coming decades (carbon emissions:5.6 billion tonnes in 1990; 12.0 billion tonnes in 2050). The forest/wood option has six components: • Avoiding CO2 emissions with forest protection measures • Priority protection for natural forests that represent important carbon reservoirs. • Increase of the fixation of carbon in forest ecological systems and wood products • Increase in biomass and therefore the carbon reservoir via sustainable forest management; • Creation of CO2 sinks by afforesting deforested areas, as well as the regeneration of partially cleared or degraded forests; the creation of nurseries on agricultural land; • By creating sustainable yield the carbon reservoir of the forest can be extended for the duration of its use via wood products (product – reservoir). • Lowering CO2 emissions by substitution • Energetic use of wood from sustainable forest management instead of fossil fuels avoids additional CO2 emissions,as the CO2 released from wood is recaptured and embedded in the biomass; • Use of wood instead of energy intensive materials such as steel, aluminium, cement or stone, avoids CO2 emissions. Taking natural and socio-economic conditions into account the possibilities of the forest/wood option can be implemented in a number countries. Flat, open regions with some forest stands are the best locations for afforestation, which, owing to their socio-economic circumstances, provide suitable conditions for sustainable forest management. The more than two hundred years experience with sustainable forest management and use of wood gained by European foresters and forest scientists should be made available to countries outside Europe for the implementation of the forest/wood option.


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