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Consumer Power

As consumers we have a responsibility to see that logging is carried out responsibly and fairly. Buying timber that comes from illegal or unsustainable sources may actually worsen poverty in producer countries by causing environmental damage and undermining local livelihoods. Here are a few simple steps that you can take to reduce the demand for such timber.

Use recycled timber

A lot of timber is wasted and ends up in landfill sites. However, old timber can be stronger and of better quality than new, while also having more character. Recycled timber can be found in salvage yards and recycling centres. Contact your local council for more details.

Certified timber

If you really have to use new timber then make sure it is certified. There are many different certification schemes, but the most comprehensive is that of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). To achieve FSC certification, an organisation must comply with a series of principles and criteria relating to environmental and social standards. The principles are summarised below:

 

1) Compliance with all applicable laws and international treaties.

2) Demonstrated and uncontested, clearly defined, long–term land tenure and use rights.

3) Recognition and respect of indigenous peoples' rights.

4) Maintenance or enhancement of long-term social and economic well-being of forest workers and local communities and respect of worker’s rights in compliance with International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions.

5) Equitable use and sharing of benefits derived from the forest.

6) Reduction of environmental impact of logging activities and maintenance of the ecological functions and integrity of the forest.

7) Appropriate and continuously updated management plan.

8) Appropriate monitoring and assessment activities to assess the condition of the forest, management activities and their social and environmental impacts.

9) Maintenance of High Conservation Value Forests (HCVFs) defined as environmental and social values that are considered to be of outstanding significance or critical importance.

10) In addition to compliance with all of the above, plantations must contribute to reduce the pressures on and promote the restoration and conservation of natural forests.

 

Further information can be found on the FSC website.








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  This page was last updated on the 2nd March 2009