How government can help protect forests
Public money for good forestry makes sense
The use of materials from independently certified well-managed sources, such as the FSC-certified wood used to make this door, reduces the impact of buildings on the environment.
© WWF-Canon / WWF-Switzerland / A. della Bella
© WWF-Canon / WWF-Switzerland / A. della Bella
The Public Sector has a responsibility as a customer of wood products. Therefore the public sector is called upon to only utilise wood products from primary forests if they comply with the requirements of the Forest Stewardship Council Label.
Jürgen Trittin, German Minister for the Environment, 2002
Governments have a responsibility to show leadership in excluding illegal and controversial timber from public works.
Timber bought for public purposes makes up 18% of the timber market in Europe. This timber is used for schools, libraries, government buildings, etc.However, many European governments continue to purchase timber from dubious sources, possibly illegally logged or from poorly managed forests.
Why should Local Authorities require FSC certified products in tender specifications?
Public procurement, local, regional, national and European government spending on goods and services, represents about 14 per cent of the GDP of the European Union - equivalent to over half the GDP of Germany.
Environmental values are an important consideration in awarding public contracts. As a consumer of forest products, Local Authorities should take responsibility for ensuring that they have a neutral if not positive effect on the world's forests.
By choosing Forest Stewardship Council certified timber products, Local Authorities have the guarantee that the products are derived from well managed sources and that they contribute to responsible forest management world-wide.
Freedom to choose good wood
NGOs are urging EU ministers to include environmental and social criteria in all stages of their timber procurement process.
Lead by example
Governments, like many in the private sector who are concerned about their social and environmental responsibility, should lead by example and purchase responsibly harvested wood.
