FSC certification of tropical forests
As the biodiversity hotspots of the world, tropical forests are vital to the existence of millions of indigenous people, and possess a unique set of social and environmental attributes. When decisions are taken by societies, industries or communities to further explore tropical forests, it is particularly important that FSC standards are met.
Overwhelming demands from society place enormous pressure on tropical forests, and this continues to escalate with emerging challenges. FSC certification can offer forest managers in the tropics financially competitive alternatives to poor practices, illegal logging, and land conversion for cattle ranching or bio-fuel production.
Whatever the management objectives – whether for timber production or biodiversity conservation – engagement in the FSC system requires that tropical forests are managed according to agreed principles for environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable forest stewardship. FSC rules and procedures are developed through strong multi-stakeholder processes. They are supported and endorsed by social, environmental and economic constituents in the Global South and Global North alike.
To withdraw from applying FSC’s standards to logging in the tropics would not end the further exploration of tropical forests, but only sacrifice a tool to promote equitable consideration of social and environmental issues in forestry. It is in tropical forests where FSC standards can result in substantial social and environmental improvements and ultimately support the conservation and long-term maintenance of these forests.
Read more about FSC in the tropics:
FSC footprints - Impacts of FSC certification in tropical regions
PPP NI project enters new phase to strengthen FSC in the tropics
New WRI model in Indonesia promotes FSC certification
FSC certification more effective than protection in Guatemala
Please read the FAQ’s below and should you have any further questions you should contact your national FSC representative.
Frequently asked questions
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How does FSC certification help forest managers in the tropics to compete with pressures from other land uses?
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By providing a market differentiation mechanism, FSC enables responsible forest managers to capture more value from their forests, allowing them to compete with pressures from other land uses such as cattle ranching, soya and palm oil plantations, and the artificially low prices caused by predatory and illegal logging.
A key factor behind the threats faced by tropical forests is the perception by society at large that they lack economic value. The extraordinary social and ecological value of forests in comparison to other land uses is often not considered. Forests are often converted to other land uses, which lack many of the social and environmental values of forests but promise higher economic returns.
FSC uses certification to engage the market in certified products to drive recognition of forests at large and in improving social and environmental standards in forest management practices worldwide. FSC standards ensure that these forests maintain the values and benefits they provide to society. -
Why should tropical forests be managed according to FSC standards?
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Tropical forests are managed for a wide variety of reasons; from high yield timber production to a source of firewood; from water catchment to biodiversity conservation. Independent of the timber and non-timber management objectives, all forest management should follow agreed principles for socially and environmentally responsible forest stewardship.
Under FSC certification, civil and indigenous rights are respected, areas of high social and environmental conservation value are maintained or enhanced, natural forests are not converted, highly hazardous pesticides and genetically modified trees are prohibited, and harvesting must meet national laws and international treaties.
FSC standards are recognized as the highest social and environmental standards for forest management worldwide. When a forest manager demonstrates that they have met the FSC standards, they will be rewarded with economic benefits – such as continued market access – that can offer financially competitive alternatives to poor practice, illegal logging and conversion to other land-uses.
FSC is recognized as the most credible system in forest management certification and is widely regarded as one of the most important initiatives of the last decade to promote better forest management worldwide. However, it is only part of the solution for the conservation of natural forests and FSC believes that a full set of different complementary conservation strategies is necessary to protect and maintain the world’s forests.
Find out more about FSC requirements here
FSC impacts in the tropics (English/German)
FSC fact sheet: Independent reports on FSC (English/Spanish)
Who is supporting FSC and why? Visit whyFSC
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What proportion of FSC certified area lies in the tropics?
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15 million hectares of tropical forest are FSC certified, representing 14 percent of the total global area certified to the FSC Principles and Criteria. However, the number of certificates paints a different picture: one in five certificates lies in the tropics. The top three countries with the highest total area are Brazil, Bolivia and the Republic of Congo. Figures from March 2009.
For more information on FSC in figures, read our latest Global FSC certificates: types and distribution publication online.
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What is FSC doing to increase certification in the tropics?
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FSC is currently working with its committed partners on several projects to create more opportunities for access to the FSC system.
Adopted in November 2007, the FSC Global Strategy commits us to continued leadership in advancing responsible forest management globally. It particularly stresses the importance of making progress with forest certification in the endangered tropical forests of the economic south, small forest owners and growing the market share for FSC certified products including ecosystem services.
Learn more about current FSC projects here
Learn more about the Global Strategy here
