Per is an ecologist by training, but his engagement for forests started at an early age based on a strong passion for nature and society. Being active in the youth environmental movement in the middle of the 1990’s coincided with the “globalization” of the forest debate in Sweden and other boreal countries through market-based campaigns by NGO’s. This later resulted in pioneering intensive work in Sweden to develop a national FSC standard– the first in the world. At the time, Per was strongly engaged in this work working for the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation. He has since worked for 20 years for WWF Sweden – a national organisation within the global WWF network. He has also been a member of the board of FSC Sweden for many years and is active in the standard development and revision processes.
The red thread through his career has been responsible forest management and conservation. The focus has migrated over the years from a Swedish focus to a more international one. Currently, Per is also a member of the global WWF forest leadership team.
Per has a track record on working with a wide range of stakeholders from all chambers on both the national and international level within FSC, including, for example, negotiation of motions at GA’s and the recent Controlled Wood strategy process. Good knowledge of FSC’s normative framework – especially for forest management and Controlled Wood. Experience from working on influencing globally-important market actors towards more ambitious targets and policies for wood sourcing and forestry. Understanding of supply chain realities and trade patterns linked to forests and forest related commodities globally. Good understanding of the realities that FSC and its membership are facing in many key countries through my work in the global WWF network and programmes that WWF Sweden supports, including for example Eastern Europe, Russia, China and other parts of Asia.
My organisation and I view FSC-certification as an important tool for improving the management of the world’s forest. There are however challenges for the organisation where clear change is needed. As a board member, Per would like to focus on the following:
- Ensure that FSC certifications leads to enhanced biodiversity in certified operations
- Increase the relevance of FSC for the management and restoration of tropical natural forests
- Make FSC more accessible and relevant for community forests & smallholders
- Maintain the key fundaments while at the same time evolve FSC’s unique balanced governance system.
- Strengthen the social and environmental membership and overall membership in Africa and Asia.
- Increase demand for FSC products - especially in emerging markets
Increase the use of FSC as a safeguard for loans to and investments in forest and plantation operations.