Abstract | The Forest Stewardship Council, an example of how the private sector can manage natural resources in a responsible way

Introduction

FSC is a not for profit organisations created by a multi-stakeholders initiative (Forest Management Companies, Retailers, Environmental Organisations and Social Organisations) shortly after the Rio Conference in 1992 due to lack of action taken by governments to protect the world’s forests.

Vision: The world’s forests meet the social, ecological, and economic rights and needs of the present generation without compromising those of future generations.

How we do this: FSC is based on 10 credible Principles and Criteria defining how to manage forests in a responsible way (environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable) - [The idea is to take the example of a daily used product - ie: toilet paper - and to go back along the chain of production to show where it comes from]

Importance of having strong standards to ensure the credibility of the system and the trust of the consumer (ISEAL Alliance evaluates the credibility of label-based organisations)

Concrete outcomes:

FSC New Zealand in numbers (70% of the plantations are FSC certified...)

Case study 1: How the FSC certification makes a difference for NZ plantations and for certified companies (potentially inviting a FSC Forest Manager to talk about their experience)

Case study 2: Congo Basin forests (how FSC certification has increased the social and economic living conditions of people while protecting the environment)

Conclusion

The private sector can be a strong driver for the protection of natural resources. (Finishing the presentation with a few tips of what everybody can do at the individual level to help)

Bio | Cyrielle Durand

Cyrielle Durand has been working with the Forest Stewardship Council since June 2015 an office was established in Auckland, with the objective of developing the FSC market and increase FSC’s visibility in New Zealand.

Cyrielle is passionate about environmental and human rights topics. She studied a Bachelor of International Relations at the Institute of Technologic of Monterrey in Mexico City and she previously worked in Brussels, assisting numerous multinationals in the development of Corporate Social Responsibility projects.

When she is not working, you can find her exploring every corner of New Zealand.