According to Wood for Good, sourcing wood from sustainably managed forests helps to encourage biodiversity. It also increases forestation and maximises CO2 absorption.
Sustainable forest management
Forests need to be managed to be sustainable. Using a forest for logging purposes means more growing trees which locks carbon in timber, and this outweighs the emissions released through transport and felling. Several million people are employed in sustainable forestry worldwide.
The United Nations programme for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) offers incentives to developing countries to reduce deforestation and forest degradation while improving conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks.
Illegal logging, which includes illegal harvesting, processing or trading in timber and timber products, is a global issue. It is more common in developing countries where there are wider governance problems. Consumer countries are also accountable where timber and timber products are imported without ensuring they are legally sourced. The timber industry addresses this issue on various levels.
How to procure sustainable hardwood
Sustainable procurement of hardwood can be achieved through a solid procurement policy and due diligence.
In terms of the policy, it is important to ensure that timber or timber products are sourced legally putting in place a procurement policy enforcing a preference for certified timber and timber products. This ensures it is responsibly, lawfully and sustainably sourced.
It is helpful to have an enhanced due diligence system in place when timber and timber products cannot be certified. Suppliers should still be able to verify the source; however, one must be vigilant about the risks of illegal timber in the supply chain.
Here is a video explaining the sustainable procurement of wood:
Video source: Woof for Good
