Establishment of the FSC Global Paper Forum

During the first FSC Global Market Forum in 2004, 57 representatives of companies, organizations, FSC National Initiatives and FSC International met to discuss issues such as recycling, marketing and promotion of FSC paper products.

Particularly effective at bringing all sectors included in the paper production chain together, FSC provided a communication platform for companies and organizations to discuss the future market development for FSC certification. The success lead to the establishment of a regular forum.

Since the first forum, more companies have become FSC certified creating a dynamic market. The focus of this next forum is on providing a communication platform to develop the market for buyers.

3rd FSC Global Paper Forum, 23-24 January 2007 in Frankfurt, Germany

The FSC Global Paper Forum is an international meeting established to create a stronger market and new opportunities for FSC-labeled paper.

FSC certificate holders, purchasers of FSC certified paper products, pulp producers and representatives of related sectors as well as NGOs are all welcome!

Panel discussions, workshops and latest updates and developments of FSC International Policies related to the paper sector, are some of the activities envisaged for the FSC Global Paper Forum. Main features of the conference are:

• Matching supply and demand

• FSC paper market

• Marketing FSC paper

• FSC rules in process

... and more!

If you are interested in taking part or would like further information, visit www.writingthefuture.org, where you can view the program and register online.

Writing the future… the Paper Industry and FSC

Just a decade ago, the pulp and paper sector was stigmatized as being one of the most detrimental to our forests, in large part because of its reliance on ancient forests for raw material. At that time, no possible solution could be seen. Today, pulp and paper companies from Europe, North America, South Africa and Brazil are trying to change that image – moving toward more responsible use of the forests resources by becoming FSC certified.

The impact of pulp and paper production on the world’s forests is profound. About 40 percent of all commercially traded timber is used for paper production. Paper consumption is projected to grow by about 50 percent by 2010.

The good news is that a growing portion of the demand will be met with FSC certified pulp and paper. The growth of the certified sector has been nothing short of remarkable. FSC involvement in paper dates back to the 90´s when the first book was published by the Cornell University Press. In 2000, the FSC-certified paper list for Europe included just 10 entries. Since that time, there has been significant expansion to the point where now there are more than 300 entries in the European FSC-paper list.

A report by FSC German Working Group on the development of the FSC Certified Paper Sector in Europe uncovers how FSC's trademark in the markets are stronger, with clear economic advantages for those companies committed to responsible forest practices.

The FSC market share in Europe shows a dynamic increasing in sales. In 2005, turnover proportions varied between 0 and 60% with an average of 4.3% in 2005. Estimates for 2006 are 6.7%, a 50% increase from 2005.

These increases come as a result of demand, and the influence of NGOs that call commercial entities to take greater responsibility. But commercial interests themselves – particularly those seeking to demonstrate their corporate social and environmental responsibility – are becoming an increasingly significant driver of the certified pulp and paper market. Whatever the source of the motivation, the result is greater incentive for responsible management of forests worldwide.

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