As featured in the Timber and Forestry E News
‘THE timber and forestry sector may emerge from the Covid-19 crisis with higher social and operational standards and social measures than before, says a confident Jason Ross, who manages Responsible Wood’s marketing and communications program.
“What is clear is that the sustainable wood sector must be part of the global strategy to ‘build back better’,” he said.
“The challenge for forestry businesses is to implement sustainable practices, certification schemes and so far as practicable, invest in innovation and digitisation.”
Responsible Wood manages the Australian standard for Sustainable Forest Management and is Australia’s largest forest certification scheme.
In 2021, Responsible Wood will publish the new trans-Tasman sustainable forest management standard (AS / NZS 4708) which will, for the first time, provide common benchmarks for certified Australian and New Zealand forests.
In addition, Responsible Wood is endorsed by PEFC, the world’s largest forest certification authority.
“And it is through involvement with global authorities such as PEFC where the forest products industry can lead the world in reducing poverty and reverse risks to sustainable forestry,” Mr Ross said.
“Countries need to prioritise providing financial support to small-to-medium sized forest enterprises; they can work to integrate smallholders, communities and forest enterprise in more coordinated and sustainable supply chains.”
Mr Ross said as consumers in the global community, we need to be aware of the availability of sustainable wood products and commit to responsible consumption, particularly at a time when the world is focused on promoting a circular economy and climate change mitigation in a post-Covid-19 environment.
For more information about the Australian standard for Sustainable Forest Management or forest certification more generally visit responsiblewood.org.au
