106. Sustainability made simple.

Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) seems like a complicated business. It takes into account a broad range of environmental, social and economic issues and in the end, leads directly to a set of principles governing the responsible management of forests. In simple terms, it’s about give and take – in the right balance.

SFM means that no more wood is harvested than is re-grown, local employment is given a boost and the forests continue to provide a home for wild animals and plants. It’s all good.

 

• In 2006 280 million hectares of forest worldwide was certified to Sustainable Forest Management standards.

 

• That equates to roughly 8% of the world’s forests.

 

• It also represents an increase of roughly 6.5% since 2003

 

Sources:	International Institute for Environment and Development 1996, Towards a Sustainable Paper Cycle, World Council for Sustainable Development, London.
	Clark, M. 2007, The Future of Trees: Forest Certification Schemes, NAFI Conference, 21st March 2007, PEFC, Canberra
	Vahanen, T. Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable Forest Management and Trade in Forest Products and Services [online]