FSC International held the Second Conversion Dialogue, which took place online on November 30, 2020 at 11:00 (CET), and an identical second session at 16:00 (CET).
The following topics were covered:
FSC members vote for the FSC Board of Directors who are accountable to the members. The Board of Directors have the responsibility of monitoring the work of FSC, particularly that the motions passed at the General Assembly are being put forward.
Agenda items for discussion:
1. The FSC Global Strategy and its effect on boreal forests
The second draft of the Global Strategy is now out for consultation. If you go to the consultation platform, you will find some great material developed together with the Board Strategic Planning Committee (BSPC). This includes a short video with BSPC Chair, Al Thorne, explaining some of the thinking that’s gone into the second draft and a new document that explains some of the main changes from draft 1 to draft 2 and why they were made.
The discussion was concentrated on the effect of the Global Strategy for Boreal forests and allow members to discuss their inputs in the consultation process.
2. FSC and High-value forests
With the upcoming FSC General Assembly next year, we discussed how FSC addresses certification of high-value forests, such as Intact Forest Landscapes (IFLs). As preparation for this discussion, we have taken steps to develop a research knowledge base and partnership. We seek the research basis for defining a way forward, allowing FSC to offer fact-based and pro-active nature-based solutions that respect the necessary protection of high-value forests in the landscape, and identify where and how FSC certified management of these forests and landscapes can be done in a responsible way, including the use of existing tools like certification of Ecosystem Services or Non-Timber Forest Products.
In this meeting, we updated members and stakeholders on plans and activities developed for high-value forests including IFLs, and sought feedback to these.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact Gemma Boetekees at g.boetekees@fsc.org
In this meeting, members discussed the following motions:
*Please note that these motions were modified at the close of the deadline for amending motions (August 31, 2021).
You can watch the recordings of the main plenary session here:
Theme: Standards & audit systems
Motions discussed: 10, 13, 14, 16, 30, 31, 37, 42, 45, 54, 55, 58, 60.
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This motion is now the result of a consolidation exercise by the motions proposers/seconders, merging former Motions 37, 38, 39/ 2021.
Motion 37/2021 if passed at the GA, is the motion that will provide the mechanism to update FSC’s highest level framework (P&C’s) and position on conversion (past, present and future) and enable the updated and aligned normative framework in the FSC system, as requested by Motion 07/2017.
The aligned package of normative documents was released for consultation last Friday, 11th March, and more details are available here. We invite you to look at the explanatory documentation in this consultation package.
Also note that Policy Motion 45/2021 - Stop the current process on revision of the FSC Policy on Conversion is connected to this motion and we were able to hear from the proposers of this motion.
We have reached a significant milestone in the relationship between the FSC system and the topic of conversion. We thank those members that joined us in this important dialogue and support FSC to establish new expectations and requirements for conversion- past, present and future- through remedy and restoration, as well as a new cut-off date for excluding material from the FSC system if it originates from converted natural forests or High Conservation Value areas.
We hosted two identical sessions to accommodate different time zones.
We have a selection of materials and multimedia resources related to your FSC membership in preparation for the GA 2022. Please contact your Membership Regional Coordinator for more information.
This webinar presented the board’s work to implement Motion 63 from 2017, including the efforts to develop a revised Network Policy and Procedure. In the webinar, members got an update on the process for this work, including the upcoming public consultation. The webinar was also relevant for the current motions related to Network Development.
Watch the recording here: English | Spanish (will be available soon)
FSC International held the Third Conversion Dialogue, which took place online on 03 march 2021 at 10:00 (CET), with an identical second session at 16:00 (CET).
The following topics were covered:
The Technical Working Group on the MIX label and Controlled Wood statements was established in December 2019. The work of the Group supports the implementation of the Controlled Wood Strategy. Action 4.1 and 4.2. of the strategy relate to changing the MIX label text to reinforce truth in labelling and allowing FSC-certified organizations to communicate about controlled wood.
The proposals of the Technical Working Group responsible for reviewing the FSC Mix label text and developing controlled wood statements are now available for public consultation. The deadline to participate is 6 April 2020.
Malaysian environmentalist, Anthony Sebastian, has been appointed as the Chairman of the International Board of Directors of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Sebastian’s term of office runs from 10 November 2014 to 10 November 2015.
FSC is seeking candidates for a technical working group to revise its Forest Management Evaluations Standard and its associated addenda. The call for applicants is open until 20 November 2020.
A public consultation on the PSU Review Report of the FSC-STD-01-003 V1.0, SLIMF Eligibility Criteria was launched on 12 March 2021. FSC asks stakeholders to give their feedback by 11 April 2021.
The revised FSC National Forest Stewardship Standard (NFSS) for Sweden applies to all forest types, including small and low-intensity managed forests. It will become effective on 1 October 2020.
All stakeholders are invited to comment on the first draft of the FSC Core Labour Requirements in the Chain of Custody Certification and Chain of Custody Evaluations Standards. The consultation closes on 30 March 2020.
The consultant’s report, recommendations and draft policy are now available for FSC International members.
The review report of the FSC-PRO-30-006 V1-2 Ecosystem Services Procedure: Impact Demonstration and Market Tools is now available for public consultation until 09 January 2022 and can be accessed here. We invite all stakeholders to provide feedback.
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) announces the withdrawal of the remaining forest management certificates in Russia by the respective certification bodies. This is due to the decision by Assurance Services International (ASI) to terminate its FSC assurance activities in Russia.