FSC Introduces New Onsite Tests for Ecosystem Services

image.szCwNNWzNDDQNTUw1U0sLcnXtTDVM9Az1DMAAA==

In order to verify the applicability of the draft ecosystem services on the ground, FSC has begun new pilot tests that will continue to September 2017. The objective is to establish the steps required to demonstrate the impact that responsible forest management has on ecosystem services.

In its Global Strategic Plan 2015-2020, FSC committed to offering new tools for certificate holders to access ecosystem services markets. This is part of a broader strategy to increase the market value of FSC as ecosystem services can result in increased net revenue for forest owners.

The FSC ecosystem services tools include a new procedure to demonstrate the impact of forest management activities on ecosystem services and how to access their markets.

Pilot Tests

A series of pilot tests took place last year as part of the ForCES project. Their aim was to verify the applicability of an early draft of the ecosystem services procedure. The results of these trials were used to develop the first draft of the procedure, recently submitted to public consultation.

Many forest managers showed interest in pilot testing the draft ecosystem services procedure, and a total of 20 requests were analyzed against the selection criteria. Eight were selected as pilot sites representing a wide diversity of geographical, managerial and forest type services and include smallholders, Indigenous Peoples and community-managed forests.

For further information about the Ecosystem Services procedure and the location of the pilot sites and the management organizations, please visit this page.

read more/source: https://ic.fsc.org/en/news-updates/id/1904

Related Posts

Improving Lives: APRIL Group Releases 2015 – 2016 Sustainability Report

It highlights several milestones, while noting that the company’s delivery of its sustainability commitments is an ongoing process. These include: •The launch of the company’s Sustainable Forest Management Policy 2.0 in June 2015, which remains at the centre of our operations today as we implement its commitments, including the immediate elimination of deforestation from our supply chain. •The subsequent formation of the Independent Peat Expert Working Group (IPEWG) in early 2016, which is advancing science-led approaches to responsible peatland management. •The achievement of Sustainable Forest Management certification under the Programme for the Endorsement of Forestry Certification (PEFC) – the first Indonesian company to achieve this. •The establishment of the Fire Free Village Programme (FFVP) in July 2015 – a community-based fire prevention initiative that today continues our progress towards a fire free landscape. •The expansion of peatland restoration project, Restorasi Ekosistem Riau, to 150,000 hectares supported by US$100 million over ten years, which today continues to promote the protection of important biodiversity on the Kampar Peninsula. •The implementation of a GHG monitoring project to measure emissions across production and conservation landscapes. Click Read More below for additional information.

Deforestation in Canada and Other Fake News

John Mullinder started his journalistic career in New Zealand before emigrating to Canada in the mid-1980s. Over the past 27 years, Mr. Mullinder has led a national environmental council for the country’s paper packaging industry. Frustrated by encounters with people who knew so little about forestry and paper production but had plenty of opinions about killing and saving trees, John was compelled to write a book called, Deforestation in Canada and Other Fake News. “Many people believe that cutting down trees is deforestation and the emotional image they associate with this is an ugly clear cut,” states Mr. Mullinder. “I debunk these myths with hard facts, well-documented evidence, references and real images of deforestation.” Deforestation is often incorrectly defined and associated with the forestry products industry. In reality, deforestation is defined as the permanent destruction of forests to make the land available for other uses. One reason Mr. Mullinder chose to show an agricultural scene on the cover of his book is to point out that the primary causes of deforestation are due to agriculture, oil and gas projects, and urbanization. Click Read More bellow for additional information.

How working forests can support people and planet

To say that forests are important for life is an understatement. We depend on them for food, medicines, shelter, biodiversity, fuel, pulp and paper, jobs, recreation, fresh water, clean air, and even the climate. The biggest threats to the world’s forests today are deforestation and forest degradation. Both can be drivers of accelerated global warming, loss of biodiversity, and disruption of livelihoods, among other negative impacts. A ‘working forest’ aims to ensure long-term availability of a wide range of forest products and services. So that forests are protected and continue to function and provide benefits in the long-term, we have to take into account the entire landscape, with its different land uses and numerous stakeholders. Click Read More below for additional information.
Back To Top
×Close search
Search