World Wildlife Fund and Tembec Inc. Reach Historic Accord to Promote Long-Term Sustainability of Canadian Forestry

The agreement means that Tembec commits to certify all its forestry operations, an area across Canada totaling more than 13 million hectares, according to FSC standards. Certification is the term commonly applied to harvesting and production procedures that are independently audited to guarantee sustainable forestry. In the case of FSC certification, this includes assessments of whether existing protected areas are ecologically representative of the forest in which they occur.

Both organizations described the agreement, titled Tembec and World Wildlife Fund Joint Statement on Forest Stewardship, as an historic first step in a long-term campaign to ensure that Canadians enjoy the full range of environmental and social benefits of well-managed forests.

“Leadership and responsibility go hand-in-hand. By signing this accord with WWF, Tembec Inc. is exhibiting leadership and a commitment to social and environmental principles. We are moving in a direction that is both pioneering and a model of solid forest management practice,” said Frank Dottori, president and chief executive officer of Tembec.

“At the same time, Tembec is making a responsible commitment toward our common goal of conserving Canada’s forests, wildlife and ecosystems for many generations to come.”

Monte Hummel, president of WWF, said Tembec’s decision to commit to FSC certification standards sends a powerful message to retail consumers and major purchasers of forest products.

“We’re delighted by today’s announcement and the leadership Tembec is showing. When the company’s products become certified they deserve recognition and reward in the marketplace.”

“But this is just a start. The companies that buy Tembec’s products, and the consumers who open their wallets every time they visit a lumberyard, must begin to demand that all forest products carry the FSC symbol. That’s when we’ll really begin to witness progress in conserving our valuable, but vulnerable, forest resource,” said Hummel.

The statement calls for Tembec and WWF to work closely to promote the supply and use of FSC-certified products. Both partners believe that greater FSC visibility, achieved through certification of commonly used wood and paper products such as those produced by Tembec will increase public understanding of forest certification, thereby increasing consumer demand. The two organizations also support the involvement of aboriginal people and strong local participation in future land use planning.

The Forest Stewardship Council, headquartered in Oaxaca, Mexico, has certified more than 19 million ha of forests around the world. It is the only certification system that operates worldwide and that enjoys widespread support from environmental organizations. Certified forests range from small private woodlots to some of the world’s largest industrial forested landholdings. FSC is the only certification process that also allows for a “chain of custody” certification. This means that if a manufacturer accurately tracks FSC-certified wood through the manufacturing process, it can apply the FSC logo to the finished products – thus allowing consumers to clearly identify products with environmentally-friendly origins.