World Bank Applauds Forest Certification

30 July 2007
Certified sustainable forestry operations were applauded by the World Bank at the High Level Meeting on Forests and Climate summit in Sydney this week.
The bank recognised the need for multiple systems of forest certification, which provide a mechanism to ensure forestry operations are legal and sustainable.
Forest and timber products carrying certification labels and claims assure consumers they are buying products from responsible sources.
About 9 million ha of Australia’s forests is certified to its own world class forest management standard, the Australian Forestry Standard (AFS). The AFS is recognised internationally through the Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes (PEFC).
“The PEFC is the world’s largest certification network with more than 200 million hectares of forests worldwide certified to strict environmental criteria,” AFS Ltd chair Geoff Gorrie said.
“The World Bank recognises the link between sound environmental practices and the welfare of communities. I am pleased that the bank is supportive of forest certification as provided under the PEFC.
Key theme of the forests and climate summit was that unsustainable forestry and deforestation are major contributors to climate change. By sustainably managing forests, trees are regrown and carbon stored in wood products.
“Less than 10 percent of the world’s forests are certified, meaning forest stakeholders should encourage the uptake of certification,” Gorrie said. “An increase to 12-15 percent would make a huge contribution to climate change mitigation.
“In Australia, the forest estate is expanding in size and production native forests are actively managed to reduce greenhouse emissions from bushfires. Purchasing certified wood products is an important environmental choice. So, AFS Ltd warmly welcomes the World Bank support.”

If you would like to submit a news item to be considered for inclusion on Inwood Today, please email the text to: Australia, Jim Bowden, and all other countries to info@inwoodmag.com

All news on this site is compiled by Inwood Today and may be subject to international copyright.
News Archives