Dear FSC Members,

It is my privilege and honour to be a candidate in the Environmental South Seat for the FSC International Board of Directors Elections 2023. 

I am a Sustainability Professional based in New Delhi, India. I joined FSC in 2009 as an individual member in the Environmental South chamber and since then I have been promoting FSC.  During 2011-2019, I was directly involved in undertaking FSC programmes in India in various capacities in coordination with FSC International Office in Bonn and the Regional Office in Hong Kong.   That said, I have been engaged in the global network efforts to further the FSC Mission. Currently my focus is on creating awareness on FSC besides contributing to the FSC Working Group on Controlled Wood Standard for Forest Management Enterprises as a Member.

I have more than three decades of experience in stakeholder engagements, policy analysis, teaching, research and project management in the subject areas of environmental economics, forestry economics, international trade & environment and forest certification.  

I have Master’s and M Phil Degrees in Economics from University of Kerala and a Doctorate degree in Forestry from the Forest Research Institute University India.   I have worked with leading institutions including WWF India, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), Indian Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Research and Information System for the Developing Countries (RIS).  I have been teaching environmental economics for post graduate students as Visiting Faculty at School of Planning and Architecture Delhi.

DIRECTIONS IN WHICH I WISH TO STEER FSC

Following are some of my key priority areas I wish to promote in the FSC system. I would stress that, although my geographical location is Asia, my remit above all is global with the aim to develop FSC strategically across all regions and align with the Board’s role to represent FSC in all respects.

1. Climate Change: Strengthen the role and contribution of FSC in implementation of the Paris Agreement.  Make effective use of the FSC network, members, certificate holders and relevant institutions to create awareness on how FSC contribute to the Climate Change adaptation and mitigation. FSC needs to be more proactive in communicating this message especially to international organisations.  It is also important to support the implementation of nationally determined contributions (NDCs) to address Climate Change. 
2. Promote Ecosystem services: Promote ecosystem services projects.  Establish constructive engagements with institutions including the local governments to achieve this. Enable more effective market outreach to accelerate the current slow take up of ES verification. 
3. Forest restoration: In relation to the above, support forest restoration on degraded and converted land. “UN decade of Ecosystem and Forest restoration 2021-2030” provides several potential opportunities for FSC.  Make use of such opportunities and contribute to the initiatives of forest restoration at both global and local level.
4. Mobilising resources:  Encourage development of multi country projects by taking advantage of FSC’s unique strength and capacities and by establishing partnerships with the relevant institutions to mobilise additional resources.  There are promising donor opportunities in the Global South for FSC if these were more actively pursued, both by FSC at the centre and through national and regional offices.
5. Improvements in supporting local needs and aspirations:   FSC has a unique governance model. Improvements in FSC governance are needed and that should lead to the strengthening the network resources and capacities. The local needs and aspirations should be taken into account.  It should contribute to establishing better linkages with the certificate holders, local markets, members, and other institutions.   It is essential to ensure the adequate representation and active participation of the Global South in particular at all levels for improved governance. 
6. Local communities, forest workers and indigenous peoples:  The needs and rights of local communities, forest workers and indigenous people should be given priority attention.
7. Small holders:   FSC’s take up by small holders is a challenge.  This should be addressed as a priority given the extensive areas of forest worldwide managed by smallholders and their communities.   There is a need to minimise procedural bottlenecks and costs of certification for small holders.    Focused programmes are needed to promote market access to small holders, micro small and medium enterprises. 
8. Gender equality: There is a need to give more attention on promoting gender equality at all levels in the FSC system.
9. Agenda 2030: establish effective partnerships to support implementing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular SDG 15 at local level while continuing FSC participation and contribution at global level.
10. Information and database of FSC System Disseminate regular information updates by making use of and strengthening the information and database available in the FSC system.  Initiate special reports on FSC Certification and case studies on the impacts, environment and social benefits.    Promote digital advances in supply chain verification as well as FM coverage.
11. Visibility of FSC:  Initiate steps to increase FSC forest management certified area and increasing global visibility of FSC.
12. Popularise FSC national standards:   Popularise FSC national standards at all levels and encourage promotion of more communication materials related to these. 

Thank you!