New Zealand Forest Management Companies Take First Initiative for Transparency

 

According to a report today (October 5) by the FSC (Germany), in an effort for transparency, FSC certified Forest Managers have created a high-resolution map showing the location and borders of the forests they harvest. This is said to be timely in a context of a broader discussion to develop spatial data at FSC, but also could represent a breakthrough internationally in the forestry sector in general.

The map has come a long way. It was created according to a request from different environmental organisations, community associations, individuals and companies. As per the FSC Principles and Criteria, any stakeholder must be able to contact Forest Management companies to share any supported concerns if they think companies are not managing the land in a responsible way.

Forest managers came together to discuss the matter and agreed to provide relevant data on a voluntary base in order to create the map. Although not all companies have shared their data, we hope they will be encouraged to follow the same path.

The FSC Standard Development Group (the team adapting the FSC 10 global Principles and Criteria to make them locally relevant) have already gained a fairly renown reputation among other countries for the quality of open discussions and the uniqueness of having a Maori Chamber apart from the required economic, social and environmental Chambers.

This development is very encouraging for stakeholders’ engagement and we hope other countries will see this map as a positive example of what can be achieved.