Alternatives to forest destruction

Ecological and socially responsible forest management can, and is, being practised worldwide.

It is however the exception rather than the rule and ancient forests continue to be at risk from accelerating rates of destructive and illegal logging.

How does the FSC work?

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international, non-profit association founded in 1993 through the collaborative efforts of more than one hundred participants representing economic, social, indigenous and environmental interests.

The FSC is a scheme which issues certificates for well managed forests and was created to provide the means for corporate buyers and the public to identify products coming from responsible forest management, with the aim to create the economic incentives for wider application in the market place.

Ecologically responsible forest management such as that required by the FSC, seeks to ensure that the ecosystem of the forest is not damaged and only low volumes of trees are extracted.

The impacts on the plant and animal life in the forest from this method of logging are minimal.

Greenpeace is a founding member of the FSC and is active in its development at both the international, national and regional levels.

What you can do

Whether you are buying as an individual or as a company, demand products from FSC certified forests. Insist the product has an FSC label.

Strong public demand and pressure from non-governmental organisations, combined with real commitments from corporate buyers to purchase products only from FSC certified forests, is one solution to help stop ancient forest destruction and promote ecologically and socially responsible management of the world's forests.

Members of the FSC

The FSC has over 400 members in over 50 countries including environmental and social groups, progressive forestry and wood retail companies working in a balanced partnership to improve forest management worldwide.

Its members include some large important players such as Sweden's Assi Doman (the worlds largest private landowner), Home Depot and B&Q (the largest do-it-yourself chains in the US and UK respectively), as well as many smaller companies, community forestry groups, indigenous peoples organisations, unions and environmental organisations.