Transforming Forestry at the Regional Level

7 November 2023 News

Building on National Efforts

Recognizing the significant value of forests as long-term assets benefiting humanity, the sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) emphasize the need to prioritize their protection through sustainable forest management. This is captured most completely in Goal 15.At the national level, efforts to preserve forests are longstanding, if still incomplete. Sustainable forest management, which simultaneously preserves forest productivity and ecological health, is one way to do this. While the practice has its roots in developed economies with temperate climates, it has since expanded. In Southeast Asia, for instance, countries like Thailand and Vietnam have made significant strides in developing national forestry standards and establishing platforms for sustainable forestry. Protecting forests requires collective action at the regional level as ecosystems transcend national borders. It is crucial to increase capacity in countries with valuable forest resources but limited experience in sustainable management. This involves education, training, and a establishing certification infrastructure based on successful models. Sustainability cannot be achieved in isolation, so knowledge sharing is essential. Every country, government, and community interacting with forests must have the necessary tools to safeguard them. Effectively identifying and engaging with stakeholders is key, including public and private sector representatives, national bodies, financial experts, as well as forest owners and caretakers. This aligns with Goal 9 of the SDGs, which emphasizes the importance of resilient infrastructure and inclusive, sustainable practices for overall sustainable development.

Empowering Local Stakeholders and Driving Certification Standards

PEFC emphasizes both regional synchronization and local adaptation in forest protection efforts. PEFC collaborates with stakeholders to create customized national forest management standards that consider specific ecosystems, legal frameworks, and socio-cultural contexts. In South east Asia, the PEFC FOR-TRADE project facilitates knowledge exchange, leading to the development of certification standards endorsed by national governing bodies. Thailand achieved endorsement for its national forest certification system and implemented group certification pilot projects in the rubber sector. These initiatives connect responsibly sourced rubber and rubberwood with commercial stakeholders, promoting sustainability in the supply chain. Likewise, Vietnam's national forest certification system, aligned with PEFC international requirements, received approval in 2018. The Vietnam Forest Certification Office (VFCO) was established in 2019 to oversee certification activities. Vietnam joined PEFC as a national member in the same year, and the assessment for endorsing their system is currently underway. The experiences of these countries, particularly in the natural rubber sector, serve as valuable examples for other nations seeking to adopt sustainable forestry practices. While Vietnam and Thailand benefitted from decades of experience in establishing national certification standards, they now stand well positioned to pay that forward to other countries in the region that seek to establish standards of their own.

An Independent & Impartial 3rd Party Verification System

PEFC employs an assurance system comprising three integral components: standard setting, conformity assessment, and accreditation. Each component serves a distinct role in ensuring the credibility and integrity of our certification process. Collaboration with stakeholders is paramount in developing standards that truly reflect sustainable practices.

PEFC maintains impartiality by not directly issuing certificates. Independent certification bodies conduct audits and grant PEFC certifications, adhering to standardized procedures and meeting PEFC and ISO requirements. Forest owners and supply chain companies are evaluated for compliance with PEFC standards through audits. Noncompliance areas must be addressed before certification is granted, and regular surveillance audits are conducted to ensure ongoing compliance.

Training plays a vital role in our system. We provide training to auditors and technical experts from certification and accreditation bodies, ensuring consistent knowledge and understanding of PEFC-endorsed standards and promoting uniform auditing practices worldwide. This training harmonizes expertise and keeps professionals up to date.

During our recent summit in Vietnam, co-hosted by our national member, the Vietnam Forest Certification VFCO, representatives from countries across the region came together to discuss goals, needs, and national lessons learned. The participation of independent certification and accreditation bodies at the summit highlighted their crucial role in implementing our standards.

These bodies provide the necessary organizational infrastructure for supply chain companies to obtain certification and accreditation. Their presence at the summit showcased the path forward for countries such as Laos and Cambodia, which are currently developing this infrastructure.

Finding Regional Synergies

PEFC fosters a supportive community where members assist one another. Experienced members guide newcomers, and well-resourced members support those with limited budgets. This ethos extends to group certification, enabling small forest owners to collaborate and achieve certification together. Members share expertise, amplify their impact, and strengthen their capabilities as a collective.

We have pioneered this collaborative approach to forest certification and have fostered connections throughout supply chains reliant on forestry. For example, we supported the collaboration of national members in the Balkans (Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, and Slovenia) to develop harmonized national forest management standards.

Under the leadership of our national member in Denmark, a project was initiated in 2017 to unite all our Baltic and Nordic members into a PEFC cluster. This project promoted collaboration among the seven members and created synergies to enhance their effectiveness.

More recently, national members from Cameroon, Congo, and Gabon formed PAFC Congo Basin to establish a regional certification system, the first of its kind submitted for endorsement. This system allows members to increase their influence, expand their reach, and share resources and knowledge while reducing costs associated with individual certification systems.

The PEFC FOR-TRADE initiative brings together stakeholders from the Asia Pacific region to exchange insights and align efforts in forest certification and preservation. In partnership with the UN-REDD program, PEFC supports the "Sustainable Forest Trade in the Lower Mekong Region (SFT-LMR)" project. 

This initiative promotes trade and sustainable forest management while addressing forest pressures in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. Using the PEFC framework, it fosters cooperation, strengthens certification standards, and builds capacities in forest governance, sustainable management, and trade.

A notable example of the tangible outcomes from regional initiatives is found in Vietnam. PEFC has successfully shared knowledge gained from Vietnam's emerging forest certification system. This knowledge exchange includes sharing research on fast-growing hardwoods, serving as valuable case studies for other countries in the region as they embark on their own sustainability journeys. Through disseminating these lessons, PEFC aims to facilitate and inspire sustainable practices across the region.

Amplifying our Impacts with the Private Sector

Commercial stakeholders are crucial in achieving sustainable forest management, and PEFC recognizes their significance. Retailers, suppliers, and companies throughout the supply chain have a pivotal role in driving positive change. By sourcing and selling certified forest products, they create demand for responsible practices and incentivize forest certification.

Financial institutions supporting forest-related projects also have the power to shape sustainable forestry initiatives. Their involvement ensures minimal negative impact on forests and facilitates net positive impacts. The engagement and commitment of commercial stakeholders strengthen PEFC's mission and amplify its impact in promoting sustainable forest management.

Taking Action for Forest Conservation, Together

The preservation of our world's forests is of utmost importance for the future of our planet. Fortunately, there are practical, sustainable, and responsible examples and approaches that we can draw inspiration from. Each of us, with our influence and resources, has the ability to take action and ensure the protection of these vital ecosystems. We can contribute by adopting sustainable forest management practices, empowering local communities and forest owners, and ensuring the continued availability of essential forest products that are a part of our daily lives. How can you make a difference?

One way to show your support is by endorsing PEFC and selecting products and companies that carry the PEFC certification. This actively contributes to the safeguarding of forests. Additionally, consider reaching out to PEFC to lend your strategic support to their initiatives dedicated to protecting forests worldwide.

If you are interested in joining the efforts of PEFC, kindly fill out the form below, and we will be in touch with you promptly. Together, we can make a positive impact on our forests and the future of our planet.