A new forest certification system based on continuous cover forestry (CCF)

Application summary

Forest certification has yet to produce a scientifically endorsed scheme to halt biodiversity loss or preserve forests’ non-timber values. In fact, current certificates have quite miserably failed in both goals. The idea of this project is to develop and network a new certification system based on a combination of continuous cover forestry (CCF) and additional measures for protection of biodiversity and climate. The system will be administered by an independent, science-based NGO, The Association for Ecological Forestry Certification (AEFC). Creating commercial interest in CCF supplements is important part of the work and supported by organisations such as Silva ry. CCF use is increasing only very slowly in Finland and less still in neighbouring countries. The major reasons are the better timber prices for clearcutting offered by paper companies, as well as the additional risk of economic losses from windfalls and other factors in the transition phase from even-aged forest to CCF. The AEFC will offset clearcutting incentives by offering a better price for its certified timber. This can be achieved by working with the progressive industries in the mechanical wood sector who are looking for ecological and climate-friendly timber. The extra cost of AEFC timber has a limited effect on the end price of products such as wood houses and furniture. The application seeks to a) Develop current AEFC certification criteria to cover new countries and regions; b) To network the AEFC with forest owners and wood manufacturers in co-operation with national NGOs such as Silva ry; and c) To identify new actors in the economic and social wood use sectors that can benefit from the AEFC approach. We postulate that widespread use of the new certificate has major benefits to society ranging from nature to mental health issues to new higher-level wood processing.