|
|
PEFC calls on global forest leaders to engage in forest certification
With the establishment of a Stakeholder Forum, the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes (PEFC) has expanded the role of forest leaders within its governance structure and calls on all interested parties to become actively engaged in shaping the future of forest certification.
"The world's forests - if managed sustainably - have a vast potential to contribute to tackling urgent societal issues such as climate change, but unified global action is required to realize this opportunity", says Ben Gunneberg, Secretary General of PEFC International. "Forest certification is the only market-based tool available to verify and promote sustainable forest management, and we need the involvement of all stakeholders to optimise its performance and meet society's needs, and aspirations."
The Stakeholder Forum offers a unique opportunity for international non-governmental and governmental organisations, companies, UN agencies and others to collaborate on forestry-related issues and to provide positive contributions to the workings of PEFC, the world's largest forest certification scheme. In addition, it also has direct impact on the governance of the organisation as it holds one-third of the total votes and will provide a minimum of two members to the board.
"The Stakeholder Forum is a key recommendation of the Governance Review, which was published in July 2008", remarks Mr. Gunneberg. "That PEFC established it as an integral part of its structure within only a few months demonstrates the importance and the value that our members place in it."
Outlining the way forward, Claire Blenkinsop, who recently joined PEFC from WWF as Head of Development, explained that initial feedback suggests strong interest in the Stakeholder Forum. Mrs. Blenkinsop is currently working with various parties to ensure that diverse interests are represented in this new body.
"Given the importance of forests, nobody can afford to not engage. The potential contributions that sustainable forest management can make to solving challenges such as climate change are vast, but it requires us to work together in partnerships. Civil society, business and governments need to collaborate if we are going to succeed", Mrs. Blenkinsop said.
"The Stakeholder Forum is a unique platform in this respect as it provides a neutral meeting place for global forest leaders to collaborate, influence and advance the agenda on issues related to sustainable forest management (SFM) in general and its certification in particular. It differs from other important fora such as The Forest Dialogue or WWF's Global Forest Trade Network by enabling participants to directly influence the strategic direction of the world's largest forest certification organization."
Jan 26, 2009
Extracts from the 2008 PEFC Council Report
Certified area and CoC growth
PEFC certified area has grown by more than five percent, mainly due to the endorsement of ATFS. The numbers of companies around the world which choose PEFC Chain of Custody certification for their own businesses continued to rise. An increase of 850 certificates – or 25 percent – represents the strongest annual growth since 2000. 74 percent of the total growth occured in Europe.
Governance Review finalised
The Governance Review was approved by the Board in July 2008, and a wide range of recommendations is already being implemented by the Secretariat.
Relocation to Geneva; new staff
Acting on the recommendation by the 2007 General Assembly, PEFC International relocated to Geneva in May 2008. To replace staff and bring in further resources,
PEFC International hired Thorsten Arndt (Head of Communications), Claire Blenkinsop (Head of Development), Christian Kaemmer (Technical Officer), and Julie Martie (Office Manager).
Revision of documentation
A number of core documents have been revised or are in the process of revision. This includes technical documents such as the PEFC Logo Usage Rules and the Chain-of-custody standard as well as several guidelines, including the Minimum PEFC Council Requirement and the Involvement of the Panel of Experts in the Endorsement of National Forest Certification Schemes.
Annexes 2,3 and 4 will be comprehensively revised next year. There is a pressing need to address interpretations on issues including controversial sources; free and
prior informed consent; chemicals; HCVF; conversions; and social issues to ensure and consolidate market access and acceptance of PEFC.
Advocacy and NGO engagement
PEFC increased its engagement with stakeholders, especially from the NGO community and met a variety of organisations including TTF, IUCN, WBCSD, WWF,
FSC, FAO, Chatham House, UNECE, World Bank, ITTO, MCPFE, IAF, ISO, the Forest dialogue, forests sector trade association such as CEPF, CEPI, EPIS and Eustafor, as well as international companies along the spectrum of the supply
chain.
Communications Strategy
PEFC finalised its communication strategy as the basis for the organisation communications and advocacy activities over the next few years. In line with the strategy, the organisation set-up an intranet to foster information and knowledge sharing among its members.
Scheme endorsement issues
Over the past year, PEFC has processed 15 assessments and reassessments – the largest number ever. New schemes endorsed include Estonia, Poland and AFTS. In addition, two schemes – Australia and Chile – are currently undergoing reassessment.
Training Programmes and seminars
The National Secretaries meeting in Sweden provided the opportunity for the exchange of ideas, presentations and training. Furthermore, training was provided for the Panel of Experts, assessors, National Governing Bodies and potential members (Luxembourg, Italy, Latvia, Ireland, ATFS, Serbia, Romania), and certification bodies through seminars and bespoke training sessions for staff.
Oct 21, 2008
Oldest and Largest US Tree Certification Program Endorsed
2008/08/08 Oldest and Largest US Tree Certification Program Endorsed
PEFC International: Family forest owners in the United States, who own nearly two-thirds of the country's forest lands, today cheered the endorsement of the American Tree Farm System (ATFS) by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes (PEFC). This step that will open the door to new green markets for wood that is sustainably produced on their land.
Sep 5, 2008
Netherlands joins PEFC International
2008/08/21 Netherlands joins PEFC International
PEFC Council: PEFC International is pleased to welcome PEFC Netherlands as its 34th member into its organisation. With only seven percent of its land surface covered by forests, the Netherlands are dependent on the import of wood, pulp and paper products to meet its needs.
Sep 5, 2008
PEFC Governance Review
The PEFC Governance Review, recently published, outlines 39 recommendations aimed at further improving the effectiveness of the world’s largest certification scheme. The review will support the restructuring of the organisations’ governance to ensure that PEFC International meets its objective as set out in the 2007 Strategic Plan.
The PEFC Board of Directors has carefully considered the recommendations in its last meeting and accepts them as a valuable contribution to and follow up on the PEFC strategy launched last October. PEFC is pleased to respond positively to the first recommendation, which advises PEFC to publish the governance review to validate its commitment to transparency.
Furthermore, the Board has instructed PEFC to prepare changes to its statues and other documents to enable the creation of a Stakeholder Forum. This Forum is being created to provide stakeholders with whom PEFC has until now not been able to engage with successfully with rights and responsibilities in the organisation. The General Assembly, which will take place in Canberra, Australia at the end of October 2008, will decide about the creation and exact set-up of this new body.
"We have now the mandate to implement some of the operational elements recommended in the Governance Review", said Ben Gunneberg, Secretary General of PEFC International. "And we are currently consulting with our members on these and expect to be able to consider other elements in due course."
The review was facilitated by London-based Z/Yen Group, which convened the international governance review panel to undertake the review. The panel, chaired by Lord Jamie Lindsay of UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service), included Björn Andrén of Holmen Skog AB, John Dee of Planet Ark, Hans Drielsma of Forestry Tasmania, Dr. Maharaj Muthoo of the Hari Environment & Development Society, Frederick O'Regan of the International Fund for Animal Welfare, and Dirk Teegelbekkers of PEFC Deutschland e.V.
"We are very pleased with the work of the panel. I'd like to use this opportunity to again thank them and all other participants in the review process for their excellent contribution", Mr. Gunneberg added. "We also welcome further feedback from interested partners while we are considering how best to follow up on the recommendations
Aug 1, 2008
PEFC advances sustainable forest management in China
PEFC China: Responding to requests by stakeholder for information about the organisation's activities in China, PEFC's local office has compiled a newsletter in English to update on recent developments. It reports that it has advanced its cooperation with local authorities, NGOs, forest managers, and the wood products industry. The organisation has also established links with the State Forestry Administration of China (SFA), which has shown strong interest in PEFC membership and is considering entering the PEFC endorsement process
[ Visit Website ]
-->
Oct 22, 2008
PEFC supports international consensus on forests' vital role in fighting climate change
The world's forests have a vast potential to contribute to tackling climate change, but unified global action is required now to realize this opportunity, according to a consensus by a diverse group of global forest leaders.
[ Visit Website ]
-->
Oct 22, 2008
PEFC in the Netherlands and in Ireland
Two of our closest neighbours, Ireland and the Netherlands, have now become Members of PEFC Council and PEFC UK is assisting them to develop their programmes. In particular the association with PEFC in Ireland will be important to many companies which operate in both countries. Early in 2009, it is planned to hold in Ireland two seminars about the benefits of PEFC Chain of Custody certification.
The contact in Ireland is William Merivale: william@cjandco.net and in Holland is Johan Vlieger: johan.vlieger@pefcnederland.nl
Oct 21, 2008
PEFC Forest Management and Chain of Custody grow across the World
PEFC continues to grow in the UK and Worldwide
The expansion in the number of companies involved with PEFC in the UK has been quite exceptional this year with a growth of 65% and the number of Chain of Custody certificate holders now tops the 900 mark. We confidently expect the 1000 mark to be reached at the turn of the year. This has been coupled with a similar growth in the number of businesses using the PEFC licensed logo which exceeds 600. Looking to the future our expectation is that over the next two years the number of Chain of Custody certificates will exceed 2000, as more and more companies see the benefits of being able to offer the PEFC claim on their products. Recent growth in the printing and packaging sector has been most marked.
Internationally the number of Chain of Custody holders has reached over 4200, a growth of over 25% over the last year. The area of certified forest around the globe has reached 210 Million hectares, an increase of 5%. Although much of the recent growth of Chain of Custody has been in Europe, we are now seeing a marked increase in registrations coming from Asia and North America.
Oct 21, 2008
EU Parliament regards PEFC and FSC as equally suitable to give consumers assurance
Announced in a report, adopted by the parliament last month.
Aug 4, 2006
|
|
