From the forest to the consumer - GVces - Fundação Getulio Vargas

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Glossary
Biodiversity or biological diversity: This is the variety of ecosystems and the
plant and animal species they contain, as well as the diverse ecological functions performed
by organisms that inhabit these systems.
Federal Technical Registry (CTF): Established by the National Environment Policy,
this instrument regulates polluting activities and the use of natural resources, aiming at
controlling the production, transportation and trade of products and byproducts made
from Brazilian plants and animals.
Forest certification: This traces timber since its origin and ensures that it is produced
using ecologically appropriate, socially fair and economically feasible methods, in
compliance with legislation. By differentiating products obtained through good practices
and social and environmental standards, value is added to them by way of certification,
which increases their access to markets. Buyers that follow responsible procurement policies
require certification from their suppliers. There are two certifications systems for
timber in Brazil: FSC and Cerflor.
Responsible public procurement: This is a tool used by governments to add social
and environmental standards to the call for bids, award of the contract and monitoring of
public works. The goal is to avoid that the public procurement of goods and services cause
negative impacts to society and the environment.
Forest concession: This is the concession of public land (state or federal forests)
for private companies to use the sustainable forest management approach for a limited
time. According to Law 11284 of 2006, the government opens the area for bidding and
establishes minimum prices – the company with the best offer wins the concession to
develop the area for a certain period of time. Companies are also judged by their proposed
investments in community projects and timber processing.
Conservation: This means protecting natural resources by using them rationally and
ensuring their sustainability and availability for future generations. Forest management
is an economic activity focused on conservation. Conservation is different from ‘preservation’,
which means keeping certain areas and resources intact. Preservation is necessary
when there is risk of biodiversity loss – a species, an ecosystem or an entire biome.
Ecosystem: This is a system characterized by the interaction of living beings and their
physical and chemical environment.
Tax evasion: It is a financial crime where taxes due on commercial transactions fail
to be paid, thereby violating the Law on Tax, Economic and Consumption Offenses (Lei
dos Crimes contra a Ordem Tributária, Econômica e contra as Relações de Consumo) (Law
8137/90).
Governance: This is a set of processes, habits, policies, laws, regulations and levels