Intensified forestry and shared values in the wider landscape
FSC, together with an advisory group of members, has committed a study 'Forestry Intensification for Shared Value' to identify if and when we can consider intensified forestry as sustainable. Coming from this work, we found that implementing shared values can make intensification sustainable if shared value is considered at the landscape level, not just at the management unit level.
Shared values are the positive result of (intensified) forestry, such as in plantations, which are commonly recognized amongst the different stakeholder groups (social, environmental and economic) across the wider landscape.
Sustainable Intensification Project Concludes
After seven years of dedicated collaboration, of the Sustainable Intensification project and the Sustainable Intensification Advisory Group (SIAG) has concluded. This workstream emerged in 2019 to explore if and how intensive forestry delivers environmental, social, and economic benefits -shared values- in the wider landscape. The project created a valuable space for collaboration, engagement, development and testing of shared value approaches and a significant body of knowledge on sustainable forest intensification.
Over the years, the SIAG provided strategic guidance and balanced perspectives from all FSC chambers, contributing to the development of tools, case studies, and testing activities to identify and measure shared values with certificate holders in the landscape. Their engagement added depth to FSC’s approach and supported continued thinking around intensification in certified forests.
Field testing in Australia, New Zealand and Southern Africa produced important insights into how to connect the effects of intensified forestry with shared values. These findings informed discussions around stakeholder engagement and monitoring methodologies at the local level.
The results of this work—including field-tested draft monitoring metrics, components of shared values, and practical and methodological learnings—have enriched FSC’s offerings and will inform ongoing and future workstreams. The FSC Board of Directors acknowledges the relevance of the work and encourages its integration into other FSC processes. A final report “Sustainable Intensification and Shared Values in the Wider Landscape: Learnings and recommendations from the project results” is available here.
We extend our sincere thanks to members, certificate holders, network partners, experts, consultants, and stakeholders who contributed their time, insights, and dedication throughout this journey.
FSC remains committed to exploring innovative solutions to complex challenges in forest stewardship and invites stakeholders to stay engaged through other relevant initiatives. For further information, please contact the Policy and Innovations team at: policyinnovation@fsc.org
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FSC and the discussion on Genetic Engineering FSC forbids the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) for commercial purposes in certified forestry, as well as in certified products. This is based on Principle 10.4 in the FSC Principles and Criteria, as well as in the Policy on GMOs. In addition, the FSC Policy for Association forbids certified organizations to use GMOs in uncertified products and forestry, other than for research purposes. In the context of an ongoing discussion in forestry on growing the global supply for wood and forest products by intensifying forest management, FSC wanted to explore sustainable intensification, and if and how this could contribute to the protection of forests, biodiversity and social wellbeing while ensuring long-term sustainability. Next to forest intensification and shared values, the issue of genetic engineering was raised. The focus was on understanding sustainable intensification practices and identifying shared values to find innovative social, environmental, and economic solutions within the FSC. GMOs have been discussed in FSC General Assemblies since 2010. In February 2022 the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) announced the start of a process to discuss GE (Genetic Engineering) outside of FSC certified area. The FSC International Board appointed a Panel of Experts to provide advice on how a GE Learning Process could help FSC gain sufficient and trusted knowledge on developments in genetic engineering in forestry. After a planned review of the GE Learning Process during their Board Meeting in March 2023, the FSC Board of Directors has decided to discontinue the learning process. The decision considered the different views in FSC’s membership around the learning process, the division this brought to FSC as well as the potential risk to FSC’s mission and reputation. The Board affirmed that (apart from literature reviews, desk studies and research allowed by the current Policy for Association) no investigations of genetically modified trees would be undertaken or called for by FSC without first ensuring broad membership engagement and agreement. A statement from the FSC Board of Directors can be found here. |