Forest Certification in Developing and Transitioning ... - UTas ePrints

forest certification in estonia
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Forest Certification in Estonia
Rein Ahas* Hando Hain** Peep Mardiste***
abstract
This case study provides an overview of the process and effects of forest certification
in Estonia. The discussion regarding forest certification was initiated in Estonia in the
mid-1990s as environmental NGOs started to highlight the potential benefits of
certification. The issue was discussed further in the working groups of the National
Forest Development Program, bringing it to the attention of a broader range of
institutions, officials and stakeholders. Since 1998 the work on forest certification has
been more organized, due to the official establishment of the National Working Group
on Forest Certification. Shortly after the establishment of the Working Group, it was
decided that the national principles on sustainable forestry would be developed
according to Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) principles and criteria. The main areas
of dispute in the Working Group were the requirement for forest management plans,
the acceptability of forest drainage systems, and the question of whether chemicals,
pesticides and exotic species can be used on forestland. A draft version of the national
standard was approved in 2000. Since then, the National Working Group has also
served as the official Estonian FSC Working Group. A major breakthrough was the
certification of all state-owned forests in 2002, covering roughly one million ha, 20
percent of Estonia’s total area and 40 percent of its forested land. Certification of
state-owned forests has been an important factor contributing to gradual changes in
Estonian forestry practices. Various interviewed stakeholders assert that its main
effects have been the increased participation of stakeholders, increased social security
and safety of forest workers, and forest management that is “closer to nature.”
Certification of such a significant forest area has also enabled chain-of-custody
certification to begin.
* Rein Ahas, Ph.D.
Professor, Institute of
Geography, University of Tartu
Vanemuise st 46, Tartu,
51014, Estonia
rein.ahas@ut.ee
** Hando Hain, M.Sc.
Ph.D. student, Institute of
Geography, University of Tartu
Vanemuise st 46, Tartu,
51014, Estonia
handoh@ut.ee
*** Peep Mardiste, M.Sc.
Ph.D. student, Institute of
Geography, University of Tartu
Vanemuise st 46, Tartu,
51014 Estonia
peep@ut.ee
yale school of forestry & environmental studies