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FSC Launches Ecosystem Services Procedure

FSC Launches Ecosystem Services Procedure

Published 05-23-18

Submitted by Forest Stewardship Council

The Forest Stewardship Council has launched the Ecosystem Services Procedure (FSC-PRO-30-006), which aims to create incentives for the preservation of valuable ecosystem services in responsibly managed forests. This is a world-first in forest certification.

Ecosystem services represent a range of benefits, such as clean water, that people derive from nature. FSC-certified forest managers already preserve ecosystem services and bear the associated costs. This new procedure will facilitate access to ecosystem services markets by providing forest landowners, smallholders and communities with the tools to verify and derive value from their positive impacts on ecosystem services.

FSC’s new Ecosystem Services Procedures will verify the impacts on carbon sequestration and storage; conservation of biodiversity; watershed services; soil conservation; and recreational services

The procedure will be ready to use from 21 August, 2018. Leading up to this date, FSC will provide training for forest managers who want to use the procedure and for certification bodies who will evaluate compliance with it.

The procedure also offers businesses and governments a new tool to demonstrate and communicate the impact their purchases, investments and financial support are having on the conservation and restoration of forest ecosystem services. FSC will work with governments and private sector partners to test the most promising business models to deliver benefits from the Ecosystem Services Procedure. Some possibilities include:

  • Private sector investment. FSC will look to partner with major global brands to invest in positive impacts on water, carbon and biodiversity in the forests from which they source their raw materials.

  • Financial sponsorship. The new Ecosystem Services Procedure will allow financial sponsors of verified ecosystem services impacts to use FSC trademarks to promote their sponsorship.

  • Confirm contributions to fighting climate change. FSC’s Ecosystem Services Procedure can be used to verify positive impacts on both carbon and non-carbon benefits of reduced deforestation and forest degradation.

  • Impact investing. FSC would like to work with partners in the financial sector to explore how integrating FSC certification and FSC-verified ecosystem services impacts into strategies used by impact funds can bolster the case for private sector investments in conservation.

For more information on the Ecosystem Services Procedure contact Chris Henschel at c.henschel@fsc.org

About FSC

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a global organization dedicated to promoting environmentally sound, socially beneficial and economically prosperous management of the world’s forests. FSC was created in 1993 to set standards for responsible forest management, offering businesses credible verification of sustainably produced timber and wood products and helping consumers identify these products from well-managed forests. Currently, 200 million hectares and more than 57,000 businesses worldwide are certified to FSC standards. For more information visit www.fsc.org 

For media related enquiries, contact

Alexander Dunn
Media Manager
FSC International
a.dunn@fsc.org

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Forest Stewardship Council

Forest Stewardship Council

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a global not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting environmentally sound, socially beneficial and economically prosperous management of the world's forests. FSC was created in 1994 to help consumers and businesses identify products from well-managed forests and sets standards by which forests are certified, offering credible verification to people who are buying wood and wood products.

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