Panels & Furniture March/April 2022

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT
standards and their development
process must meet to achieve PEFC
endorsement, and must include the 15
responsibilities:
• Maintenance, conservation and
enhancement of ecosystem
biodiversity
• Protection of ecologically
important forest areas
• Prohibition of forest conversions
• Recognition of free, prior and
informed consent of indigenous
peoples
• Promotion of gender equality and
commitment to equal treatment of
workers
• Promotion of the health and wellbeing
of forest communities
• Respect for human rights in forest
operations
• Respect for the multiple functions
of forests to society
• Provisions for consultation with
local people, communities and
other stakeholders
• Respect for property and land
tenure rights as well as customary
and traditional rights
• Compliance with all fundamental
international labour organisation
(ILO) conventions for worker rights
• Working from minimum wage
towards living wage levels
• Prohibition of genetically modified
trees and most hazardous
chemicals
• Exclusion of certification of
plantations established by
conversions, including conversions
of ecologically important nonforest
lands, like peatlands
• Climate positive practices such
as reduction of GHG emissions in
forest operations
national regulations, manage risk, as
well as meet at least two of the SDGs.
PEFC positively contributes to achieving
the SDGs as it works towards the full
potential of forests for a sustainable
world.
CONSUMER DEMAND FOR
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS
It is also clear that consumers now
demand sustainable products and are
willing to rethink their buying habits to
incorporate environmental and social
product benefits into their buying
decisions. This places added pressure
on furniture supply chains, including
those in authority who set the standards
and police the rules and laws.
Many companies are finding that forest
certification is a tool that can ensure
global market access for timber and
improve the livelihoods of the people
that depend on the forest.
Wikkie Netten, South East Asia private
sector regional manager of PEFC
Asia-Pacific, who is responsible for
driving awareness and working with
forestry supply chain stakeholders in
the region, posed this big question:
While the demand for certified products
is growing and timber trade rules are
tightening, should we wait for consumer
demand to kick in, or do we all take a
lead in protecting our forests and our
future?
“By working together, we can
continue to expand the areas under
SFM, and at the same time keep the
timber trade alive,” insisted Wikkie,
reminding us that globally only 13% of
forests are currently certified, leaving
87% vulnerable for land grabbing,
deforestation and land conversion.
She believes furniture manufacturers,
suppliers and retailers can all play a
critical role to improve their trade and
be the voice for all people that depend
on the forest for their livelihood.
Consistent with the SDGs, PEFC
reinforces that given the importance
of forests to the planet, sustainable
management is essential to ensure
society’s demands do not compromise
the resource. SFM offers a holistic
approach to ensure forest activities
deliver social, environmental and
economic benefits, balance competing
needs and maintain and enhance
forest functions now and in the future.
Forest certification is the tool to prove
this and to connect the consumer
with the sustainable origins of their
products.
We can see that SFM creates outcomes
that are socially just, ecologically sound
and economically viable – the three
pillars of sustainability.
Surely that is important for everyone
involved in the timber trade and the
furniture industry? It is no longer a
“feel-good” consideration but an
alternative for a business to meet
Image: Yoshihiro Kazumoto
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