Kim Carstensen, Executive Director of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) says emerging economies are increasingly aware of the need for prudent use of natural resources. This has led several to adopt certification systems to facilitate their responsible use, such as that of FSC.
Mozambique, for example, in 2014 had the highest annual percentage growth of certified forests, which helps promote protection of its natural forests. The certification of forests for sustainable and responsible use increases the efficient use of forest products. In 2014, just 7% of world’s forests were plantations, but accounted for 33% of forest products produced, Carstensen explains.
Forest plantations can produce up to 10 000 times as much timber as natural forests, a ratio which helps relieve some of the pressure on natural forests and reduce deforestation.
This holds great potential for responsible business as economic growth in Africa presents a ready market close by. Africa needs more wood but needs to preserve its natural forests, so the solution is rigorous certification.
“We need to debunk the notion that Africans don’t care about certification or responsible use of renewable resources. Consider for example that there are now 6m hectares of certified forest in Central Africa.”
Cartensen warns, though, that there has been a slight decrease in pace at which forests in the Congo Basin are being certified and that this needs to be addressed. Other examples of the need for action included illegal timber use, a market estimated to be worth USD 5bn a year.
The destruction wrought by illegal timber use includes not only the loss of species and habitats, but accelerated climate change, with 15 tons of carbon emitted into the atmosphere per hectare of illegally harvested timber.
This is one of the reasons that FSC held its In Good Company workshop ahead of the XIV World Forestry Congress, in September. It was the first time in Africa it was held in Africa.
There are currently 417 FSC certificates in 19 African countries. The industries in which certification has been undertaken range from printing, packaging, paper mills, paper manufacturing and logging, to wood charcoal, wood furniture, and various wood products.
FSC also has 121 members from Africa who actively participate in the decision-making and governance of the organisation.
“This congress and the IGC are pivotal events for the sustainable use of Africa’s forests, which in turn are linked directly to biodiversity and livelihoods on the continent and ultimately, to life on Earth,” Carstensen adds.
The importance of forests can’t be overstated: they help mitigate climate change, ensure adequate supply of fresh water, enhance biodiversity as well as sustainable incomes, livelihoods and food security, he concludes.