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FORESTRY SOUTH AFRICA
FSC-certified forests protect habitats and wildlife , ensure responsible forestry practices – and also uphold Indigenous Peoples ’ rights .
Sustainable forestry more important than ever
By the Forest Stewardship Council ( FSC )
The one key solution to climate change resides in forests – natural climate solutions vital to any carbon-reduction efforts .
Statistics show that by protecting about 400 million
hectares of forest , we can slash carbon emissions by between 5.5 and 8.8 gigatons by 2050 , while preventing 700 gigatons of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere . Proper forest management also limits the spread of infectious disease by preserving natural habitats .
This was the driving force behind the recent “ FSC Friday ”, an annual awareness day to increase knowledge , encourage commitment and raise appreciation for responsible forestry . Together we unite behind the theme of Forests for All Together because , as the Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated , we are one global family who share this planet .
Today , our connectedness goes even deeper at the intersection between environment , economy – and health . As the world continues to focus on a century-worse pandemic , we are losing the climate change battle and losing our forests at an unsustainable pace of 7.6 million hectares per year . Sustainable forestry practices are essential now more than ever before .
As governments fail to pressure businesses , they are in turn slow to act . Climate Action 100 + is one recent initiative that seeks to curb greenhouse gas emissions from major corporations . It asked companies to begin by disclosing climate-related data – yet only 25 % disclosed forestry-specific information .
In fact , just 13 companies listed information on at least one key deforestation commodity – indicating a lack of transparency and the work that must be done . Meanwhile , only a third of these global companies have robust certification in place with regard to their commodities . A 2020 report confirms that good corporate governance of deforestation is not the norm .
To overcome climate change , it ’ s imperative that countries prioritise responsible forest management . One proven measure is to leverage and deploy certification programmes such as the standard offered by FSC .
FSC-certified forests protect habitats and wildlife , ensure responsible forestry practices – and also uphold Indigenous Peoples ’ rights . These communities have long kept our forests prosperous , with ways of life rooted in land management . It ’ s important to consider that Indigenous and community-owned lands include at least 485.6 million hectares of forest around the world that contain 38 billion tons of carbon stock . FSC Standards protect indigenous rights , and when it comes to climate change , that is an impactful measure that helps mitigate global warming by maintaining or increasing carbon sequestration .
The pandemic has offered us a great , global lesson on how to work together to manage crises and accelerate change . Governments and businesses have created bold programmes almost overnight , spilled open budgets , and intervened in unprecedented fashion to protect people ’ s health and jobs . There is no reason why this same collective approach cannot be applied to the climate crisis .
www . timberiq . co . za // DECEMBER 2020 / JANUARY 2021 3