‘Responsible Wood’s strength underpinned by growing awareness of forest certification’
MOUNT GAMBIER, SOUTH AUSTRALIA – 22/10/2019
Growing interest in forest certification has provided Responsible Wood, Australia’s largest forest certification scheme, with a platform for continued strength.
Speaking at the Responsible Annual General Meeting, hosted for the first time in Mount Gambier in the heart of Australia’s Green Triangle, Responsible Wood CEO Simon Dorries, spoke of the importance of forest certification in managing forests for multi-generational use.
‘Forest certification begins in the forests, through responsible and sustainably managed forest practices, management of biodiversity and conservation.’
‘So it is very appropriate that we meet here today in Mount Gambier, in and amongst the forests, for the 2019 Responsible Wood AGM,’ Mr Dorries said.
Reflecting on the growth of Responsible Wood to date, as outlined in the Responsible Wood Annual review of activities for 2018-19, Mr Dorries spoke of the importance of the re-brand from Australian Forestry Standard (AFS) to Responsible Wood in driving a surge of interest for PEFC and Responsible Wood forest certification across the supply chain of forest products:
‘Responsible Wood continues to invest in its marketing and communication program, promoting the importance of Responsible Wood and PEFC forest certification to growers, the supply chain and importantly to end-consumers of forest products.’
‘We are now starting to bare the fruits of our labor with a growing awareness of forest certification, and a growing interest in Responsible Wood and PEFC forest certification within consumer markets.’
Announcing the 2019 Richard Stanton Memorial Prize for Sustainable Forest Management to Mr. Nick Clarke and Mr. Thirukumaran Jallendran of the Sydney Metro North West project, Mr Dorries reflected on the legacy of project certification in growing Chain of Custody certification:
‘What is remarkable about the Sydney Metro North West project, the largest project in the southern hemisphere to achieve PEFC and Responsible Wood project certification, is that it has encouraged a number of businesses to secure and maintain chain of custody certification for future projects.’
Onto about major upcoming activities, where Mr Dorries provided members with an update about the proposed Trans-Tasman joint Sustainable Forest Management Standard.
‘The proposed standard under development is a joint Australia and New Zealand Sustainable Forest Management standard which will cover forests in Australia and New Zealand.’
‘As a Standard Development Organization, licensed by Standards Australia and endorsed by Standards New Zealand to develop standards, Responsible Wood is working with a range of working groups to develop the first truly Trans-Tasman Sustainable Forest Management standard.’
‘The timelines have been drawn, and expect to provide more information about the standard development process in due time,’ Mr Dorries said.
Following the Annual General Meeting, the Responsible Wood Board of Directors, along with invited Responsible Wood members and visitors were invited to participate in Forest Field Day hosted by Responsible Wood member One Forty One Plantation.
For more information about the Responsible Wood Annual review of activities please download the Responsible Wood Annual review of activities for 2018-19. For more information about the 2019 Responsible Wood Annual General Meeting please stay tuned to the Responsible Wood website for more information in the coming weeks.
