Contribution of Forest Stewardship Council Certification to Sustainable Forest Management of State Forests in Selected Southeast European Countries

Abstract

In recent decades, the concept of forest certification under the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has been widely adopted in selected Southeast European countries (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia, and Slovenia). As sustainability is traditionally recognised as a leading principle in the forest management doctrine in these countries, the aim of this study was to understand whether, and how, FSC forest certification contributes to the sustainable management of state forests. The research was carried out in two phases. First, in order to assess forest management compliance with FSC standard, non-conformities for the period 2014–2018, identified in audit Public Summary Reports, were analysed in all public companies that managed state-owned forests in selected countries. Further, in-depth, semi-structured interviews with the professionals responsible for forest certification in these companies were conducted (n = 11) to determine the contribution of forest certification to the economic, ecological, and social aspects of sustainable forest management. In total, 185 non-conformities were analysed. The results showed that FSC certification was successful in addressing certain problems in forest management practices and contributed to sustainable forest management, mainly covering social and ecological issues. The most frequently identified non-conformities were those related to FSC Principle 4 Community relations and worker’s rights (32.3% of all non-conformities) and Principle 6 Environmental impact (30.4% of all non-conformities). The contribution of FSC certification to sustainable forest management is mainly reflected in the following aspects: Worker’s rights; health and safety of employees; availability of appropriate personal protective equipment; consultation with local people and interest groups; awareness of environmental impacts of forestry operations; waste disposal and storage of fuel; improving the image of forest companies and maintenance of high-conservation-value forests. The majority of non-conformities were minor and required procedural changes to be closed. Moreover, there are no statistically significant differences between the countries with regard to the number of non-conformities for all principles. It can be concluded that FSC certification, as a market-driven mechanism, plays an important role by influencing forest management practices and business operations of public forest companies in a positive manner.

Adaptation to EUTR Requirements: Insights from Slovenia, Croatia and Serbia

“…In these countries FSC certification "is, to a certain extent, perceived as a guarantee for the legality of wood operations and origin." ( [15], p. 17). Since certification is desirable as a management and marketing tool but does not represent a sufficient condition for ensuring legality according to EUTR requirements, further cautions are necessary.…”

“…Becher (2019) found that "the imports, after the enforcement of EUTR, experienced a linear increase, or in case of tropical wood products, stagnation after a previous falling trend" ([5], p. 33). In the southern and eastern Europe, researchers mostly looked into forest certification as a mean for sustainable forest management [15,16], chain of custody certification [17] and trade of timber and timber products [18] Although EU imports of legally harvested timber increased to some extent as a consequence of implementing specific policies and regulations, it is possible that illegally harvested timber and timber products are sourced and traded domestically, or that the producer countries shifted exports to the countries/regions with less stringent regulations [19]. Among countries at risk of producing and trading in illegal timber, as well as being subject to policy side-effects, are some Western Balkan countries (e.g., Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia).…”

“…It is recognized by the European Commission as a priority country for the implementation and enforcement of the EUTR [22]. In addition, all three countries have a significant share of their forest certified by third party verifiers, such as FSC and PEFC [15].…”

Integration of environmental values into the management system of forestry enterprises in accordance with the requirements of forest certification

“…Using the example of forests of individual countries of South-Eastern Europe (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia), the authors of [7] investigated the impact of forest certification under the FSC scheme on ensuring sustainable management of state forests. Based on an analysis of the inconsistencies noted in publicly available certification assessment reports and a survey of those responsible for forest certification in forestry enterprises, the researchers concluded that forest certification has a positive impact on forest management practices and sustainable forest management, especially in terms of environmental and social aspects.…”

Identification and Management of High Conservation Value Forests Within Potential Natura 2000 Habitats: Case Study Vranica Mountain

“…The forest certification process, in line with Forest Stewardship Council standards (hereinafter: FSC), has been widely adopted in the forestry sector of BiH coveringthe environmental, social, cultural and economic aspects of forest management (PEZDEVŠEK MALOVRH et al 2019a). Forest certification implies meeting a certain, predefined, sustainable forest management standard, whereas identification and proper management of high conservation value forests are one of the basic requirements (Principle 9).…”