FSC-US would like to set the record straight following a string of false and misleading statements about FSC made by SFI and others who have a stake in the USGBC Forest Certification Benchmark outcome. These misstatements have ranged from “FSC sources in North America are limited” to “favoring FSC's high standards advantages wood from overseas and disadvantages America's small woodlot owners.” Such irresponsible and erroneous statements are deceptive and desperate attempts to distract from the on-the-ground successes of FSC and the very real differences in North America between high-bar forest management (represented by FSC) and status quo conventional timber industry forestry (represented by SFI).
Here are the facts.
The availability FSC-certified wood: FSC’s recent success with American corporations and in the U.S. marketplace has led to a remarkable expansion in FSC forest management and chain-of-custody certification. More than 116 million acres of U.S. and Canadian forestland are now certified to FSC standards, representing 50% growth in just two years and with strong signals of continued expansion. And more than 4,500 U.S. and Canadian companies are now approved to trade in FSC-certified products under our chain-of-custody standard, a figure that is more than five times that of any other system operating in North America. More than 40% of these companies operate in the building materials sector. After 15 years, FSC is reaching scale.
Where FSC-certified products are sourced: The geography of sourcing and use of FSC-certified wood products mirrors that of the conventional forest products trade, in which species, grade selection and cost drive most purchasing decisions. Seeking FSC-certification does little to change the country of origin. And just like in the conventional trade, the vast majority of FSC-certified wood and fiber consumed in North America is grown in North America. For example, an architect or builder who specifies FSC-certified pine or fir 2x6’s for a wall assembly will probably be sourcing from forests in California, Idaho, Alberta, Ontario, or Maine. If it’s an FSC-certified hardwood floor or cabinet that is desired, that wood is most likely to come from America’s hardwood producing states like Pennsylvania, North Carolina or Michigan. Likewise, if one is searching for a tropical species, then it surely will come from a tropical country. Suffice it to say, the 116 million acres currently FSC-certified in North America is capable of satisfying the domestic demand by green builders for many years to come. Of course, we have every reason to believe that both the supply (acres certified) and demand in North America will continue to grow.
Uniformity of FSC’s standards: FSC’s standards employ the same 10 principles and 56 criteria in every forest everywhere in the world. These principles and criteria require on-the-ground performance on many critical forest management issues that are ignored or only loosely addressed by other certification systems, including SFI. Fortunately, many of these issues, such as Forest Extent (deforestation), Protected Areas, Forests of Special Conservation Value, and others are addressed by prerequisites in USGBC’s Forest Certification Benchmark. Clearly, such high standards reflected in the benchmark’s prerequisites make the conventional forest industry nervous, because their standards are not high enough to make the grade. The prerequisites expose the gaps and the lack of specificity in other certification standards, and thus have led them to issue misleading statements about FSC and claims of “unfairness.”
Access to FSC certification by family forests: To make a real difference in forest conservation in the United States, certification systems must make their programs accessible to family forest owners who supply 60% of our wood and fiber. FSC is doing just that. We know that much of the best, but also some of the worst forest management in America takes place on small woodlot holdings. We need to provide the tools to recognize and reward the high performers and encourage improvement from those lacking. In 2010, FSC will launch a U.S. Family Forest Standard specifically for woodlots that are less than 2,400 acres in size. We are also working with government agencies and producers around the country to organize group certificates to increase the value and reduce the costs of certification. One example of such efforts: more than 2.1 million acres and 31,000 family forest owners in Wisconsin were awarded a FSC group certificate in December 2008. Similar initiatives are underway in many regions around the country.
The support of leading environmental organizations: FSC is the only forest certification system supported by the world’s leading conservation groups, including World Wildlife Fund, National Wildlife Federation, Sierra Club, Greenpeace and The Nature Conservancy. The direct involvement and support of these organizations have helped FSC build a foundation of integrity as well as the critical balance in standards-setting along with our economic and social chamber members. FSC’s open, multi-stakeholder membership and balanced governance keeps these organizations closely engaged and gives them a voice and influence that is currently unattainable within the industry-biased certification systems. And for these recognized experts in forest ecology and conservation, only FSC meets their minimum requirements for responsible forest management.
