Go Green with Eco-Labels: Forest Stewardship Council

"FSC Certification. Photo from Wind Horse Farms." This logo has corporate "go green initiative" written all over it. Is that a bad thing? The logo belongs to the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), and is a voluntary international certification. FSC's mission is to promote responsible management of the world's forests through a triple bottom line approach. The FSC was formed in 1993 in response to the Rio meetings, and has now developed into a fifty country strong organization that provides standard setting, trademark assurance, and accreditation services that help them go green when it comes to forest management. So no, it is not actually a bad thing at all!

We have all heard the devastating statistics regarding climate change, the decline in adequate habitat for ecosystems to survive, and the impact of deforestation. The Forest Stewardship Council's goal to develop a system that allows us to harvest wood without undermining the very systems that we depend upon as a society is quite grand! But check their numbers and you will be happily surprised. To date, over 5% of the world's productive forests are FSC certified including 117 million hectares across 82 countries. Now combine this ecological impact, with the important rights and rewards that FSC is now providing indigenous cultures and we have ourselves a comprehensive world-saving program. Numerous indigenous populations have been subject to illegal logging, demolishing their habitat and culture with one chop of the axe, a trend FSC is working to reverse.

So what is this certification? The certification is the most comprehensive forest certification system to date. It is quite discriminatory on what forests are eligible, how they are harvested, and even requires a detailed tracking system of each piece of wood. FSC prohibits highly hazardous pesticides, genetically modified trees, and visits each operation on a yearly basis to verify the information provided. So it promotes manufacturers to use sustainable forestry principles, and through its eco-label, will promote their product as an easy "go green" choice, leaving it in the hands of the consumer.

So who is investing in this? Incredibly enough, 50% of companies in the forest product supply chain have committed to FSC certification. This includes companies, organizations, and communities that are investing in this type of management. Why you may ask? The FSC certification adds to an organization's credibility, demonstrates their responsibility, reduces their ecological impact, publicly displays their "go green" approach, and is tied to a financial gain. In 2008 alone, FSC labeled sales were over $20 billion USD. But the credibility stands, as FSC is the only forest certification system accepted by several country's Green Building Councils, and environmental groups widely support and advocate for FSC certified products.

It's All About You

No really it is! The FSC provides a database that allows you to track your FSC purchase as well as find manufacturers and distributors. When shopping, ask your retailer if they carry FSC goods and if not, let the power of suggestion do the work for you.

Photo from Wind Horse Farms.