Poverty and Forest Certification
Summary: Through improving management and governance, and making sure the benefits derived from forests are shared more equitably, forest certification potentially offers an important tool to help lift many millions of people out of poverty. This paper examines the way in which forest certification, in particular according to the Forest Stewardship Council Principles & Criteria (FSC P&C), has contributed to poverty alleviation, and discusses what can be done to increase its impact.
Great Apes & Logging
Summary: This report, which is based on several scientific studies, information from nature conservationists and large logging companies, aims to offer insights into FSC’s effectiveness as an instrument for the protection of chimpanzees, gorillas, bonobos and orang-utans.The report concludes that in contrast to other forms of logging, FSC certified logging offers increased assurance that the appropriate habitat for great apes will be maintained. The report was commissioned by WWF.
FSC reflected in scientific and professional literature - literature study on the outcome and impacts of FSC certification
Summary: 'FSC reflected in scientific and professional literature' is a review of independent research and a compilation of findings on the outcomes and impacts of FSC certification in and beyond the forest. The report uncovers strong evidence that FSC can positively impact workers and communities, shift governance processes globally and change economical and environmental conditions in the forest. It marks one of the first outcomes from the FSC Monitoring and Evaluation Program, established in early 2008 to assess how FSC is delivering against its mission.
Download FSC impacts and outcomes - extracts from FSC literature review 2009
Evaluation of the management of wildlife in the forestry concessions around the national parks of Lopé, Waka and Ivindo, Gabon
SUMMARY: In Gabon, the national parks of Lopé, Waka and Ivindo were named "Priority Areas" for the conservation of great apes. These parks are all surrounded by forestry concessions. Forestry activity can have negative impacts on the conservation of wildlife if the forestry companies do not meet legal requirements for the control of illegal hunting and poaching. The study aimed to measure the quality of wildlife management in forest concessions located around the three national parks. Results show that the performance of FSC certified companies was far better than non certified companies in almost all aspects of the evaluation. Certified companies applied an average of 86% of the elements of best practices, while noncertified companies applied an average of 29%.
FSC® Business value and growth Market Survey 2010
Summary: Over recent years the strength of FSC has become clearly visible in significant market milestones. On 18 March 2010, the 20,000th FSC Chain of Custody (CoC) certificate was issued, less than two years after hitting the 15,000 mark. Worldwide, more than 1,000 Forest Management certificates are issued in 79 countries. The tremendous growth conveys that FSC certification has become a driving factor in market success
