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Forestry and Paper

About this sector

Forests are managed for a variety of timber and non-timber products, as well as for watershed management, conservation, recreation purposes, carbon sequestration, and the provision of other important ecosystem services. The primary focus of the commercial forestry industry is on maximizing timber yield for the production of wood products. Thus forestry can be viewed as an extractive industry, but one which, given careful management can support regeneration and renewal of the resource for long-term use.

Impacts

  • Over-harvesting of wild species.
  • Habitat change and degradation from extraction or cultivation of important species.
  • Invasive species from plantations.
  • Water abstraction for plantation cultivation.

Opportunities/Risks

  • Illegal logging may undercut legitimate business.
  • Plantation monocultures reduce biodiversity and are predisposed to disease risks.
  • Opportunities for payments for carbon sequestration through regeneration and for REDD+.

Case Studies


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Implementing “zero impact” invoices

Implementing “zero impact” invoices

Committed to neutralize the environmental impacts associated with its paper invoicing process, EDP has engaged in a compensation program based on (1) life cycle assessment and (2) externalities compensation through agroforestry good practices that restore the ecosystem service originally impacted by invoicing activities.

Setting private natural heritage reserves

Setting private natural heritage reserves

Owning large natural reserves as part of its forestry activities in Brazil, Fibria has chosen to register its most biodiverse lands as part of the Brazilian-specific Private Natural Heritage Reserves scheme. Recognition of Fibria’s conservation efforts is expected to further increase public and stakeholder awareness on company conservation activities.

Mitigation bank projects on Southern Timberlands

Mitigation bank projects on Southern Timberlands

New market mechanisms which aim to compensate unavoidable loss in biodiversity are currently being developed, and some are already up and running. Mitigation banking is a new way to foster biodiversity conservation initiatives in very large land areas, and represent business opportunities for companies such as Weyerhaeuser, that owns lands as part of their business activities.

Takao 100 years-Forest Project

Takao 100 years-Forest Project

This project involves the acquisition, restoration and conservation of a nearly 50-hectare tract of forest in the town of Takao in Hachioji, Tokyo. In 2006, Sagawa Express undertook this project to secure and protect this robust ecosystem as a means of contributing to society while exploring the many possibilities of satoyama woodlands.

Planting trees in the Philippines to preserve biodiversity

Planting trees in the Philippines to preserve biodiversity

In the Philippines, Pioneer Hi-Bred is carrying out a reforestation program that aims to positively impact its environment so that the company can benefit from improved water and soil conditions. It demonstrates that corporation involvement in biodiversity conservation projects can positively impact business prospects.


Tools and Mechanisms


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Rainforest Alliance Sustainable Agriculture Standards

Rainforest Alliance Sustainable Agriculture Standards

http://rainforest-alliance.org/agriculture/certifi...

Rainforest Alliance Certified™ farms meet the comprehensive standards of the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN), a coalition of nonprofit conservation organizations, which address social, economic and environmental criteria. Certified farms and companies that source products or ingredients from certified farms are eligible to use the Rainforest Alliance Certified green frog seal, if they meet established guidelines.
Forest Stewardship Council

Forest Stewardship Council

http://www.fsc.org/

FSC, founded in 1993, is an international non-government organization dedicated to promoting sustainable forest management through voluntary certification.
Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes

Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes

http://www.pefc.org/

PEFC founded in 1999 is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organisation, which promotes sustainably managed forests through independent third party certification. PEFC is a global umbrella organization for the endorsement of national schemes. About 8% of the world's forests are certified, of which two-thirds are certified to PEFC.
United Nations Forum on Forests

United Nations Forum on Forests

http://www.un.org/esa/forests/

Established in 2000 and convening biennially, the UNFF exists to facilitate forest governance and sustainable management by fostering international co-operation.
Guidelines for the management of tropical forests (FAO, 1998)

Guidelines for the management of tropical forests (FAO, 1998)

http://www.fao.org/docrep/w8212e/w8212e00.htm

These voluntary guidelines focus mainly on the criterion of maintaining the productive functions of the forest, and more specifically to the production of wood and non-wood products, provide practical advice on how to operationally plan and manage tropical forests for the sustainable production of wood.

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Forestry and Paper

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