The forest products industry in North America and Europe has long been concerned that illegal logging and deforestation are harming biodiversity and the environment and contributing to global warming.
Every year around the world, 32 million acres – roughly the size of Greece – are destroyed due to these illegal operations. Yet as worldwide demand for paper and wood products increases, these illegal practices continue to expand and are even encouraged by unscrupulous governments willing to sacrifice their people and their land for monetary gains. |
Forest certification programs aim to stop the damage to the world’s forests by promoting environmental responsibility. Certification programs establish guidelines, criteria and standards that address economic, social and environmental issues.
These programs offer a balanced approach to assure customers that the paper they buy has been legally harvested and comes from a well-managed forest.
The best-known forest certification programs are: |
