FSC Update June 2008
Welcome to this edition of the FSC Australia Update.
FSC Australia
• FSC passes milestone – 100 Chain of Custody Certificates
• FSC AGM – New Board Elected
• Controlled Wood Risk Assessment Team
• FSC Australia Indigenous Engagement Process
• FSC Australia represented at Australian and International Events
• Board Meetings
• Events and trade exhibitions
• Staff Changes at FSC Australia
FSC Around the World
• FSC International releases new Global Strategy
• First draft of revised FSC Principles and Criteria open for comment
• Staples ends contracts with Asian Pulp and Paper
• FSC Global Paper Forum at drupa 2008
FSC passes milestone – 100 Chain of Custody Certificates
FSC has reached an important milestone in Australia with more than 100 active certificates making it clearly the most widely used system for verifying wood, wood products and paper from responsibly managed forests and tree plantations. Australia’s 100th certificate was issued to Yarra Timbers. Rob Horner started his business working with firewood and recycled timber in Melbourne and now runs his sawmill from Lismore in Western Victoria. Rob has supported the development of a group of FSC certified farm forestry projects in the surrounding area. As of 14 June 105 Chain of Custody certificates had been issued in Australia.
FSC AGM – New Board Elected
The FSC Australia would like to congratulate three members of the Board elected unopposed at the March AGM:
Lindsay Hesketh (Australian Conservation Foundation) has been a member of the Board since FSC Australia was established and has been re-elected..
Jim Adams (Timber Communities Australia) has been attending meetings in an observer capacity since the resignation of Jill Lewis in December 2007 and has been elected for his first term as a Board member.
Vince Erasmus as Managing Director of ITC Limited spoke as a representative of the economic chamber at the launch of FSC Australia in 2007. He has been elected to fill the position left vacant by Bob Pearce in 2007.
Controlled Wood Risk Assessment Team
FSC Australia has established a Controlled Wood Risk Assessment Technical Working Group to look at defining Controlled Wood risks in the Australian context. In particular, the group will look at defining high conservation value places and values in Australia. The work of the risk assessment group will guide certification bodies who are asked for verify sources of controlled wood. It will also contribute to the development of indicators for high conservation value places and values as part of the FSC Australian Forest Management Standard that is currently being developed (and will be subject to consultation with stakeholders). The Team members nominated by chamber members and agreed by the FSC Australia Board on the basis of their expertise are Professor Rod Keenan, Professor Jerry Vanclay, Dr Brendan Wintle, Steve Mueck, Dr Anne Wallis and Chris Loorham. Submissions to this process will be invited in the coming weeks.
FSC Australia Indigenous Engagement Process
Traditional Owners have a unique, inherent right to be involved in decision-making about forests and plantations in their traditional Country. The broader indigenous community, which includes Traditional Owners, has social, economic, health and environmental interests affected by the management of forests and plantations. FSC Australia recognises the urgent need to engage with Traditional Owners and indigenous communities more broadly to establish if and how they would like to be involved in the:
- Ongoing governance of FSC Australia; and
- Development of an FSC National Forest Management Standard
We have been seeking funding to support this process and are pleased to announce that with the generosity of a private donor we can now begin this important work.
FSC Australia represented at Australian and International Events
FSC Regional Meeting, Tokyo, Japan
FSC Australia was recently invited to participate in the first FSC Asian regional forum held in Tokyo. The forum brought together national initiatives from China, Japan, the Russian Far East, Vietnam and Papua New Guinea as well as Australia, A public forum was held to coincide with the meeting attended by 200 business and community representatives. The regional meeting provided an opportunity to establish closer working relationships between wood supplier countries and wood producer countries. FSC Australia has been asked to take the lead in developing a regional FSC strategy. The visit also allowed FSC Australia to meet Japanese paper companies and make the case for buyers of Australian wood to work closely with FSC Australia and ensure that companies who make the improvements required to achieve FSC certification are rewarded for their efforts through prices paid and other benefits. The meeting was generously supported by WWF Japan.
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Asian Paper Senior Managers Summit, Bangkok, Thailand
FSC Australian continued the theme of promoting Australia as a source for FSC certified responsible fibre at the annual Asian Paper Senior Managers Summit in Bangkok. The meeting is attended by leaders in the Asian paper industry. Honorary CEO Michael Spencer stressed the value of FSC in enhancing the product credentials of the paper industry and, in light of the recent recycled paper scandal in Japan, the value of FSC as a risk management tool. He also pointed to the strong growth in demand for FSC certification and the opportunity for FSC certified operations to distinguish themselves and win part of this growing market. He was able to use FSC Australia as a case study to show how the FSC system can work through difficult issues such as chemical use and high conservation values in a way that respected the views of all stakeholders and the need to achieve substantial consensus.
RISI Asian Pulp and Paper Forum, Shanghai, ChinaItalic text
In a paper presented to the annual RISI Forum in Shanghai, FSC Australia was asked to address both the development of Australia as a supplier of wood-based fibre and environmental issues. The address made three key points: The first repeated the message of Bangkok in terms of the value of FSC to product credentials, market access and risk management; the second drew attention to the three-fold increase in plantation hardwood fibre expected in Australia over the coming years and the FSC certified companies who will be in the forefront of this growth, and; the third point stressed that while environmental issues were important considerations for Australian pulp mill proposals, proponents needed to give attention to all aspects of good management – sound economic, financial, environmental and community relations plans and respect for due process. Projects that addressed these issues could be successful and enjoy broad stakeholder support. The presentation concluded with the view that a new generation of entrepreneurial, market- driven leaders in the industry, who see dealing with environmental and community issues as just part of doing business, and recent changes in the political landscape could indicate the beginning of a new era in Australia. The meeting was well attended by FSC-certified Australian companies.
Indian Sandalwood Industry Conference, Kununurra
FSC Australia was invited to address a conference in Kununurra, Western Australia, that brought together experts in the Indian Sandalwood Industry. This industry has been all but wiped out in its home country due to illegal and unsustainable harvesting. It is estimated that up to 75 percent of the current supply of sandalwood oil could be from illegally harvested wood. The impact of this is felt in the market where many fragrance companies have switched to artificial sandalwood fragrance. FSC Australia explained how the FSC system worked and how the combination of strong verification processes, broad stakeholder engagement and consensus combined with a known global brand could help distinguish the legitimate sandalwood industry. Australia already participates in the broader sandalwood industry with one Forest Management certificate holder in Western Australia. It is expected however, that as a result of plantations currently being established in the vicinity of Kununurra Australia could become the world’s major supplier of legitimate sandalwood oil. These businesses are looking to the strength of the FSC global brand in consumer markets to help bring the fragrance industry and other customers back to natural sandalwood oil.
Board Meetings
After discussions with FSC members, the Board agreed that the agenda and minutes of FSC Board meetings should be made available to ensure an open and transparent decision making process. Our next Board of Directors meeting will take place in Canberra on June 25th.
Events and trade exhibitions
This year we have increased our presence at sustainability and design expos as part of our work promoting FSC and the ever increasing supply of certified products in Australia. You may have seen us at:
• Sustainable Living Festival (Melbourne)
• Mitre 10 Flower and Garden Show (Melbourne)
• DesignEx (Sydney)
• Going Green Expo in Melbourne
Staff Changes at FSC Australia
FSC Australia is pleased to announce the appointment of Carly Bannon to the position of Executive Officer, FSC Australia. In this position she will be responsible for the overall coordination of FSC Australia, implementation of the organisation’s work plan and support for initiatives such as the Controlled Wood Risk Assessment. Carly brings to the organisation knowledge of environment and development issues having recently completed her Masters of Social Science (International Urban and Environmental Management) at RMIT University. She also brings a background in product development and marketing as well as excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Carly can be contacted through the general FSC e-mail address info@fscaustralia.org.
Merrin Layden, who has been the Manager Projects and Administration for FSC Australia for the past two years (and was our first employee), will be leaving the organisation to continue to broaden her work experience in Australia and overseas. Merrin will continue as the FSC Nominated Agent for Trademark Approvals in Australia on a voluntary basis. Merrin leaves employment at FSC Australia with the best wishes of the Board and gratitude for the commitment and effort she has put into the organisation’s first two years. Chief Executive Michael Spencer said it had been a pleasure to work with Merrin whose patience, communication skills and grasp of FSC Principles had been a major asset for the organisation. He wished her well for the ongoing development of her career.
FSC Around the World
FSC International releases new Global Strategy
Entitled ‘Strengthening Forest Conservation, Communities and Markets, the strategy will guide FSC through its second decade. The Strategy commits FSC to continued leadership in advancing globally responsible forest management. It stresses the importance of making progress with forest certification in tropical forests and small producers and about growing the market share for FSC certified products and other forest services, such as carbon sequestration. Go to http://www.fsc.org/global_strategy.html?&0=
First Draft of Revised FSC Principles and Criteria open for comment
The FSC Principles and Criteria is the core document for FSC forest management certification. As such, the Principles and Criteria can only be changed by a vote of the FSC membership. The 10 principles and 56 criteria form the basis for all FSC forest management policies and standards. FSC invites all interested parties to comment on the first draft of the revised Principles and Criteria. Go to http://www.fsc.org/111.html
Staples Ends Contracts With Asia Pulp and Paper
Staples Inc., the world's largest office-supplies retailer, ended its contracts with Asia Pulp & Paper Co. because of its environmental practices. The retailer stopped its 11-year relationship with APP in late January “due to their clear lack of progress in improving their environmental performance”. This follows a year in which FSC International disassociated itself from APP and all subsidiaries. Story sourced from: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=acXOtxbg7KDs&refer=home
FSC Global Paper Forum at drupa 2008
The forum acts as a meeting place for FSC-certified companies, paper buyers, pulp suppliers and representatives from environmental and social groups. The aim is to create a larger market for FSC paper and identify further marketing opportunities. The two-day program included talks, panel discussions, workshops and information on subjects such as FSC regulations, FSC in packaging, and the new FSC COC standard.
