SFI: Partnerships for Progress

SFI: Partnerships
for Progress
Presented by:
Barry Graden
Dir., SE U.S. Community
Outreach
July 26, 2013
Certification: Where Are We?
Forestland1
• 90% of the world’s forests are not certified to any
standard.
• 34% of forestland in North America2 is certified to
either SFI, ATFS, CSA or FSC.
Timberland3
• 47% of N.A. forests are certified
– U.S. = 21% certified
– Canada = 71% certified
1Includes
all forest and forestland by definition, such as reserved, nonproductive, etc.
and Canada
3Forest and forestlands capable of commercial wood production.
2U.S.
U.S. Certified Area by
Certification Standard
Total U.S. timberland: 514 million acres/208 million ha
SFI recognized = 71%
SFI-Certified Land in N.A.
6%
240 million acres
2012 increase of
certified forest
area (over 2011)
Changing Market Definitions
• The market is broadening “responsible sourcing” to mean
more than certified fiber in products.
– “We are interested in helping these projects because we want
to help promote verified sustainable forestry.”
– “For us, it is important to do what we can to conduct our
business responsibly and sustainably. We believe that
forest certification is an important component of this because it
sets standards for the management, harvesting and replanting
of forest resources.”
– “Sound environmental policy. Increasing the amount of
certified forest provides the best assurance that forests are in
fact being well managed--regardless of whether they are
supporting the production of fiber.”
2010-11: Maine Pilot Project
Phase I
620,000 acres under SFI
100,000 acres under ATFS
Phase II
780,000 acres under SFI
•
Completed December, 2011
•
Coordinated audits for cost effectiveness
•
Good synergies found with pre-assessment meetings, and timing of audits back
to back
•
Total project led to 1.4 million acres certified to SFI and 100,000 acres to ATFS
SFI Opportunities for
Growth
• SFI Inc. is committed in North America to promoting
conservation and increase land and mill certification.
• Maine pilot project demonstrated a successful
approach.
• Individual pilot projects are gaining momentum in
several states.
• SFI Opportunity: A “forest to market” Program to
provide mutual incentives and/or benefits for:
– Landowners
– Producers
- Customers
- Conservation NGOs
Forest to Market Approach
• Success of new projects depends on:
– A broad base for support, including:
Multiple values – economic, environmental, social
• Collaboration throughout the entire supply chain
• Strong market interest
SFI Forest PartnersSM
Program
• SFI launched Forest Partners Program at 2012 Annual
Conference with Founding Partners:
–
–
–
–
–
Time Inc.
National Geographic Society
Macmillan
Pearson
Additional partners being sought
• Partners help provide resources for more manufacturers
and landowners to certify their lands and operations.
• Each has made a five-year commitment to support SFI
Forest Partners Program.
“Forest to Market”
..Partnerships
SFI Forest PartnersSM Program
Providing Opportunities and Benefits
Forest
Landowners
AFF /
ATFS
• Group/Coordinated
Certification;
• Provide basis of
certified products &
claims;
• Association with
ATFS and SFI;
• Leadership in
verified forest
management
• Grow ATFS
Program
• Provide ATFS
Benefits
• Promote Forest
Certification;
• Continue to foster
a positive
relationship with
SFI;
Primary
/Secondary
Producers
• Fiber Sourcing or
CoC Certification;
• Meet customer
requirements
• Promote
Sustainability
• Raise credibility of
the industry
• Promote domestic
wood products
Users of
Forest Products
• Meet sustainability
commitments
• Promote important
message about
forest sustainability;
• Provide $upport
• Brand recognition
through program
association;
• Program
“ownership”/dev’t
Conservation
NGOs / SFI
Partners
• Positive SFI
partnership
• Potential
conservation
projects
• Demonstration of
Leadership in
Conservation
SFI Forest PartnersSM Program
Goals & Objectives
• Build on experiences of Maine Pilot Project
• Grow the certified forestland base
• Facilitate the uptake of fiber from certified
forestlands through the supply chain
Key Message Pillars
•
LEADERSHIP IN SUPPORTING RESPONSIBLE FORESTRY
– The SFI Forest Partners Program supports responsible forestry.
•
LEADERSHIP IN CORPORATE PROCUREMENT
– The SFI Forest Partners Program enables corporate leaders to
directly engage in responsible sourcing of certified forest products.
•
THE FUTURE IS DECIDED NOW
– The SFI Forest Partners Program will demonstrate that the
decisions we make and the actions we take today will determine the
future of our forests.
•
GLOBAL CONCERN
– Market leaders demonstrate the importance of making wise choices
concerning global deforestation and climate change.
Program Milestones:
• Certify five million acres (two million hectares) of
forest lands to the SFI Standard by the end of 2014,
beginning in the U.S. South.
• Certify ten million acres (four million hectares) of
forest lands to the SFI Standard by the end of 2017 in
the U.S. and Canada.
• In addition, certify more small and medium-sized mills
to SFI certified sourcing or chain-of-custody
certification.
Program Funding
• Contributions from Forest Partners and others will be
used as necessary for:
– Assessments - Gap analyses;
– Consulting – Assistance with Environmental Management
System development to close any gaps found in assessments;
– Initial Audits - Coordination and implementation of audits;
– Innovation - Costs of testing new certification strategies (e.g.
establish groups and pilot projects);
– Exploring Incentives - Development of new innovative
approaches to encourage landowners and mills to certify
(harmonization with government programs, benefits with retail
partnerships, clubs, associations);
– Operations - Costs of travel, equipment, supplies.
State-by-State Forest
Assessment
Created a guidance formula using criteria:
• Timberland acres
• Timber Product Output
• Uncertified
• Ownership category
–
–
–
–
Industry
Corporate
Native American
Nonindustrial Private
• Current Project Interest
SFI Forest PartnersSM
Projects
• Develop State- or Region-based Projects
–
–
–
–
–
Can be based on procurement regions
Coordinated or Group Certification
Work with state agencies
Based on opportunities
2013-2014 Priority states:
•
•
•
•
SC
VA
FL
GA
•
•
•
•
MO
NC
AL
LA
Primary Focus States and
Projects
VA
NC
SC
GA
AL
LA
FL
MO
SFI Forest PartnersSM
Program
• State Forestry Agencies and SFI are
Complementary
– Certifying State lands demonstrates value to the private sector;
– Certification supports states’ position as sustainability leader in global
marketplace
– State landowner programs: Certification may provide added value
– SFI Implementation Committees (SIC): broad-based forums for public
and private sectors to promote sustainable forestry
SFI Forest PartnersSM
Program
• State Forestry Agencies and SFI are
Complementary
– Landowner outreach: Direct promotion of sustainable forestry –
Required by SFI Standard
– BMP compliance and monitoring – Required by SFI Standard
– Web links/references to help landowners and industry navigate
regulation, research, programs, public data bases, AND certification.
– Letter of support from State Foresters – and legislators, governors
PROJECT 1: South Carolina
• Three project participants:
• Clemson Experimental Forest
– Utilized for research and education
– Financially self sustaining
• Procurement organization
– Seeking certification to the SFI Fiber Sourcing requirements
• South Carolina Forestry Commission
– 5 State Forests
– Dual Certify: SFI and ATFS
– Can now serve as an example to private family forest owners,
industry and corporate landowners, and the state’s industry
• Audit
– Week of June 10
– Publicity, once Audit Report is issued
PROJECT 2: Virginia
• SFI Project Coordinator under contract
• Cooperating with VFA, VA SIC: VA Certification
Task Force
• SFI Program Participants assisting with
promotion and recruitment
• Virginia Department of Forestry
– Partnering with SFI to promote the value of
certification among private landowners and mills
– May certify state lands in 2013
– Audit workshop: “Hands-on” demonstration of
certification process
– Help promote VA as a leader in sustainable forestry
PROJECT 3: Missouri
• SFI Project Coordinator under contract
• No current SFI presence in MO (lands, mills)
• Involve MO Department of Conservation (MDC)
– Has been an SFI Program Participant for years
– MDC is working with SFI to explore ways to leverage
the interests of state lands with those of the private
sector re: certification
• Coordinating with the MO Forest Products
Association
PROJECT 4: Florida / Georgia
• SFI Project Coordinator under contract
• Newest project
– Scoping stage
– Generating interest of several larger
landowners
• In discussions with Florida Forest Service
– Promotion of certification to public, industrial
and corporate landowners, and the state’s
forest products industry
Current Status / Next Steps
• Phase II for SC
• Develop and implement current projects
• Outreach to SICs and others in other states (NC)
–
–
–
–
Identify lands and mills
Facilitate collaboration among interested parties
Develop projects / plans
Coordinate assessments and audits
• Continue outreach to potential forest partners
For more information about
SFI Forest PartnersSM
Program and how you can
get involved, contact:
Barry Graden at
[email protected]
“A decade ago, Time Inc. was one of the first companies to make a public
commitment to use 80% certified fiber. Progress beyond that goal has been
hampered by the limited availability of adequate supply. SFI Forest Partners
lets us have a direct impact on the growth of forest certification and the
responsible sourcing of forest products.”
- Guy Gleysteen
Senior Vice President of Production, Time Inc.
“We believe strongly that we, as
publishers, have a role to play in
encouraging responsible forestry
practices,” said Hans Wegner, chief
sustainability officer for the National
Geographic Society. “We know that
humans are deforesting the globe,
particularly in the tropical regions of the
world, at a clip of approximately 2
percent a year, a trend that is
completely unsustainable. We may well
be the last generation with the
opportunity to reverse that trend.”
- Hans Wegner
Chief Sustainability Officer
National Geographic Society
“Sustainability is a core mission for
Macmillan. By committing to the
use of certified fiber sourced from
well-managed North American
forests we are ensuring
responsible, environmentally
friendly forestry while also
supporting the most efficient global
use of recycled fiber. Third-party
certification instills confidence that
we are making informed choices
that keep domestic forests healthy,
rural communities strong, and
preserves fragile forests in other
areas of our world.”
- John Sargent
CEO
Macmillan
“Forest Certification is an
increasingly important tool in the
ongoing struggle to create a
sustainable world. Trees absorb
carbon. Well-managed forests help
address deforestation, protect and
enhance biodiversity, and underpin
sustainable livelihoods. Five years
ago we made a commitment to
climate neutrality for our directlycontrolled operations. Helping to
promote responsible forest
management practices
complements that commitment and
continues to be a priority for
Pearson companies.”
- Rich Glicini, Senior Vice
President, Corporate Social
Responsibility, Pearson
“SFI Forest Partners are investing in the future of our forests. Their decision
to work directly with the diverse SFI community, through the SFI Forest
Partners Program, will help us achieve our goal of bringing together forest
landowners, manufacturers, customers, conservation groups and
government agencies across North America to ensure current and future
generations can enjoy the many ecosystem services and forest products
provided through responsible forestry.”
- Kathy Abusow, President and CEO
Sustainable Forestry Initiative