Creating Sustainable Timber Markets Launch of the European STTC An NGO Perspective

1. Creating Sustainable Timber Markets Launch of the European STTC An NGO Perspective Amsterdam - 6 November 2013 Indra Van Gisbergen The campaigning NGO for greater environmental and social justice, with a focus on forests and forest peoples rights in the policies and practices of the EU

2. Increase demand “sustainable tropical timber” First preliminary question: • Voluntary certification schemes (ex.FSC) = driving SFM • Tropical forest certification = very limited –only 6% of tropical forest production is certified Certification cannot address policy & institutional failure Certification does not address the root causes of poor governance: • Lack of clarity of tenure • Endemic corruption WHY is there little SFM in the tropics?

3. Increase demand for sustainable tropical timber Second preliminary question: • No evidence in countries with weak/absent governance • Many certificates have been disputed, revoked or suspended : Ex. SIFORCO/Danzer – DRC Does certification improves SFM in the tropics ?

4. 1. How important are demand-side compared/in addition to supply-side measures? • Action on both side is required – Go hand in hand - Need for simultaneous and complementary action • BUT danger : Increase of demand Increase of supply Unsustainable supply Cfr FSC Complaints panel Sodefor/DRC – Jan.2012 “Do not dramatically increase certified areas in regions without good governance

5. 1. How important are demand-side compared/in addition to supply-side measures? • FLEGT Action plan = unique tool to: - bring demand & supply sides together - address illegal logging in producing + consumer countries • VPA = cornerstone of FLEGT Action plan - voluntary bilateral legally binding agreement • Please note: NO FLEGT licenses yet – Need to go until the finish

6. VPA Process = Innovative tool to improve forest governance How? • Multi-stakeholder process • Creating space for CSOs/Communities • VPAs includes social dimensions • Most VPAs include annexe on transparency and access to information • VPA = motor for participatory legal reform (offers opportunity to strengthen community rights) • VPA is a tool to address worrying trends: land grab – conversion timber

7. 2. Seven Do’s and don’ts for STTC partners • DO’s

8. 2. Seven Do’s and don’t s for coalition partners

9. 3. NGO’s contributions to STTC ambition and efforts STTC Ambitions are particularchallenging Reminder of IDH Report: • Highlyunlikely certification willbecomemainstream practice in the tropics • Forecast: by 2030 2/3 tropical forestswillremainuncertified

10. What NGO’s can do • 4 concrete suggestions: • NGOs should be involved: • - Monitoring • - STTC to develop a risk index for different countries, link NGOs in these countries confronted by negative impacts to the coalition • Support VPA + EUTR implementation • Support civil society – capacity building • Share the lessons learned from the FLEGT VPA with all stakeholders

11. www.fern.org • Rue d’Edimbourg 26 • 1000 Bruxelles • Belgique • t +32 2 894 4693  • e indra@fern.org The campaigning NGO for greater environmental and social justice, with a focus on forests and forest peoples rights in the policies and practices of the EU