New report: FSC the most effective system for environmentally responsible forest management in Canada

30 October 2007 

A recent study conducted by the consulting company Éem Incorporated concludes that the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is the most effective system for achieving environmentally sustainable forest management in Canada. The results of the study were recently released by the Montreal-based organization Markets Initiative.

The analysis compared FSC certification with the other major schemes operational in the country – CSA and SFI, which are both endorsed by the PEFC.  The study focused exclusively on environmental aspects and did not consider the social aspects of forestry.

Among the differences noted between the schemes, FSC was found to be the only scheme which prevents conversion of natural forest to plantations, requires a precautionary approach to the management of high conservation value forests, and prohibits the use of genetically modified trees.