Forest certification in developing countries: current status and hindrances to its adoption within a macro-framework

Li, Xu; Lu, Antonia Jiewei

doi:10.1505/146554821832140376

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 143 publications

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“…Several qualitative desktop studies address the effectiveness of forest certification. These studies compare the criteria of the FSC and the PEFC [16,17], look at the stringency of standards and modes of operations [18,19], compare drivers of certification uptake [20][21][22], or look at the macro-effectiveness of forest certification [23,24]. Other desktop studies discuss the role of forest certification in sustainable forestry on larger spatial scales [18,[25][26][27].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effectiveness and Economic Viability of Forest Certification: A Systematic Review

Wolff

Schweinle

2022

Forests

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In the face of accelerating forest degradation and deforestation, forest certification emerged in the early 1990s as a voluntary and market-based mechanism to promote environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable management of the world’s forests. A key goal of forest certification is to reduce forest degradation and deforestation while enhancing forest enterprises’ economic viability. However, whether forest certification contributes to meeting such goals is unclear. We conducted a systematic literature review on such impacts, reviewing empirical studies published between 1993 and 2021 regarding the impact of forest certification on forest degradation, deforestation, and economic viability. Drawing on 98 empirical studies, we analyzed these impacts and provide an overview of the studies’ findings in terms of geographical distribution, indicators considered, and the certification schemes assessed. We found that the impact of forest certification on deforestation has been specifically understudied (n = 11) compared to forest degradation (n = 42) and economic viability (n = 45). On deforestation, studies have focused on Africa (45%) and South America (36%); on forest degradation, studies have focused on Europe (40%) and Asia (20%); on economic viability, studies have focused on Asia (33%), Europe (33%) and South America (20%). We found positive-neutral (54%; 46%) impacts on deforestation, positive-neutral-mixed (70%; 21%; 9%) impacts on forest degradation and positive-negative-mixed (50%; 33%; 17%) impacts on economic viability. We did not find clear evidence that impact is linked to a specific region or certification scheme. However, scarce evidence on the impacts of the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), the application of various methods, and site-specific indicators in the individual studies challenge such comparison and hamper the generalization of findings. This systematic review provides an overview of the state-of-the-art research on the effectiveness and economic viability of forest certification, evaluates and discusses the current evidence base, and concludes with future research lines.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effectiveness and Economic Viability of Forest Certification: A Systematic Review

Wolff

Schweinle

2022

Forests

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“…Timber certification schemes represent current best practices for socially responsible forestry, but 87% of certified forests are located in temperate and boreal regions, while only a small share of logging operations in the tropics presently fall under such schemes (Xu and Lu 2021: 108). Moreover, there still is little evidence available to assess the results of these efforts (Burivalova et al 2017, Cerutti et al 2017, Defo et al 2013, Ehrenberg-Azcárate and Peña-Claros 2020, IPBES 2022, Naito and Ishikawa 2020), and very few empirical studies focus on the social outcomes of certified logging (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A call for a wider perspective on sustainable forestry: Introduction to the Special Issue on The Social Impacts of Logging

Minter

Naito

Sunderland³

2023

int. forest. rev.

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Global demand for timber is projected to grow and much of this timber will continue to be sourced from natural forests. As these forests, particularly in the tropics, tend to be inhabited by the world's most marginalized communities, the social impacts of logging require more attention within policy, practice and research. This Introduction to the Special Issue of International Forestry Review on The Social Impacts of Logging compiles evidence that the overwhelmingly negative social impacts of logging are systemic. As logging companies fail to fulfill their social obligations, and elite capture is common, the extent to which local communities benefit from logging operations is minimal, while long-term, harmful effects on livelihoods, social fabric and safety are severe. Logging operations reinforce and often exacerbate pre-existing inequities, particularly for women and Indigenous people. Weak governance, a lack of transparency and poor participation procedures partially explain this unfavourable situation. However, logging will only achieve better social outcomes if underlying power-imbalances are tackled.

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“…It is a mechanism created to highlight good forest management and ensure the sustainability of forests (Basso et al 2018). It has been promoted as a mechanism that regulates trade in timber products in order to protect timber resources and has been widely hailed for its positive impacts on implementing sustainable forest management (Xu and Lu 2021). It is also considered a viable option to increase transparency and accountability in forest management organizations (Cashore et al 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Socioeconomic and environmental impact of forest certification in ejidos and communities of the state of Durango, Mexico

Garcia,

Corral,

López

et al. 2023

int. forest. rev.

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A principal objective of forest certification is to ensure that forest management operations and administration provide opportunities for social, economic and environmental development. This study assessed the implementation of 48 specific forest certification practices through field interviews and site inspections in 13 forest properties certified in Durango according to the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), and compared them with practices on a pooled set of matching non-certified properties. The results of field observations indicate that forest certification has prompted measurable changes in sustainable forest management practices in Mexico. For 24 identified forest management and environmental certification practices, there were four statistically significant differences at p<0.10, and 7 at p<0.25. Six of 11 forest certification practices were significantly different at p<0.10 for the social component, and 5 of 13 in the economic category. Forest certification in Mexico is related to better forest management practices and as a promoter of a better quality of life for communities. However, it still faces challenges to achieve better prices for certified forest products in the market, but has helped firms enter new market segments.

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Forest certification in developing countries: current status and hindrances to its adoption within a macro-framework

Cited by 5 publications

References 143 publications

Effectiveness and Economic Viability of Forest Certification: A Systematic Review

Effectiveness and Economic Viability of Forest Certification: A Systematic Review

A call for a wider perspective on sustainable forestry: Introduction to the Special Issue on The Social Impacts of Logging

Socioeconomic and environmental impact of forest certification in ejidos and communities of the state of Durango, Mexico

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