Two reports confirm that as FSC certification grows in the tropical zone, it is making a positive difference on the ground.
The need to ensure good forest management in the tropics is urgent: While tropical forests are threatened by destructive logging and land conversion, more than 1.5 billion people in the tropics depend on forests and trees, and the biodiversity of tropical forests is unparalleled by any other ecosystem.
"FSC footprints - impacts of FSC certification in tropical regions" is a beautifully illustrated publication which brings the positive effects of FSC certification close to the reader, based on personal stories and case examples.
The array of positive changes described covers all the main aspects of responsible forestry, from the safety of forest workers to wildlife and environmental protection. And not least, there are vivid accounts of how certification can change village life for the better by supporting sustainable socio-economic development.
Comprehensive in its scope, the publication also finds space for outlining the role of FSC certification in relation to climate change, in particular the REDD mechanism.
The work of the Rainforest Alliance featured
Operations certified by the Rainforest Alliance are prominently featured in the booklet. For example the extraordinary case in Guatemala where the rate of deforestation was found to be 20 times lower in an FSC/Rainforest Alliance certified forest than in a neighbouring, strictly protected area. The Kayapó indigenous people of Brazil who thrive on certification of Brazil nuts for cosmetics. And the Bolivian Roda Group whose certification spearheaded the development of green and socially sensitive forestry in Bolivia - today one of the leading tropical countries for FSC forest certification.
Guitars and lesser known species
The booklet stresses the importance of using lesser known tree species in tropical forestry and how FSC can support this. One example is a story about a unique school in Amazonia, where Braziilian youngsters are taught to build guitars from FSC-wood while learning about responsible forestry.
The report also highlights guitar producer Gibson, which pays four times the going rate for wood that is FSC-certified. Gibson guitars have supported FSC and collaborated with the Rainforest Alliance since 1996.
Report from Brazil confirms the picture
Another report released by the Brazilian NGO Imaflora also demonstrates the positive impact of FSC/Rainforest Alliance certification in tropical countries. The report shows how certifying plantations and community forestry in Brazil brings about positive changes.
The report shows clear positive impacts of FSC-certifying plantations within all socio-environmental aspects evaluated: workers’ health and safety, professional training, pesticide handling and reduction, natural resources conservation, forest management, and relationship with the community (see also our previous story about the plantations impact study).
The study also found that FSC certification of extractive communities in the Acre region pointed towards positive impact, although not as significant as in the case of plantations.
Imaflora is providing FSC certificaton services in Brazil in partnership with the Rainforest Alliance.
Sources: FSC-Germany and Imaflora
Download the reports
"FSC Footprints" by FSC-Germany
Related stories
Brazil: 20-times increase in consumer recognition of FSC (26/6 2009)
Forest certification in progress in Africa (30/4 2009)
Rainforest Alliance: FSC certification ensures wildlife sanctuaries (9/3 2009)
Impact study confirms benefits of FSC certification in Brazilian plantations (4/11 2008)
Study shows 20 times less deforestation in FSC forest compared to strictly protected area (7/4 2008)