[Certifications Spotlight Audio Clip 3] PEFC, Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification

INTRODUCTION

Do you know where the paper and wood you use come from? What concrete guarantees do you have that a certified entity is not harming endangered species? What are the standards and the governance driving this certification body? 

In this episode, Peter Wood lays out big pieces of answers on the table with a focus, this time, on the #PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification).

It is the logical sequel to episode 48 devoted to FSC certification. They are both part of a series of “Certifications Spotlight: Truths and Traps” audio clips. They will all unravel the mysteries behind the logos, certifications, and declarations you find on packaging. Let’s equip you with knowledge and critical thinking to decipher:

its meaning,its application,its grey areas,and its pros and cons.

HERE ARE THE RECOMMENDED RESOURCES 

Episode 48: [Certifications Spotlight Audio Clip 2] FSC, Forest Stewardship Council with Peter Wood of UBC as well: https://www.look4loops.com/packaging-podcast/ep48-certifications-review-fsc-forests-logging-wood-paper   An article that explains the problematic situation about logging in endangered species habitat: “B.C. allows logging in critical habitat of one of the province’s sole recovering caribou herds” https://thenarwhal.ca/bc-caribou-habitat-wood-river-basin/   Peter Wood mentioned wording from the (Canadian Standard Association) CSA’s SFM standards that get to the core of the problem, that the “standards” are ultimately up to the company. The actual wording of this is as follows (under “Assessing values, objectives, indicators, and targets”, page 72): “Management experience might show that previous targets were either easily met (resulting in more rigorous objectives) or impossible to meet (necessitating more realistic goals)”.Let’s note that we have learned that since Ecojustice launched the legal challenge, the CSA has decided to close this certification system. Teal Jones, the logging company that is facing the biggest act of civil disobedience in Canadian history, with more than 1,000 people arrested, is certified to CSA, and just posted this news on their website, indicating what is happening: https://tealjones.com/certifications   Here is the website of the Competition Bureau Canada, a consumer fraud body that can help prevent false claims: https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/competition-bureau-canada/en   An article about the Ecojustice legal challenge against the SFI: “Canada’s largest sustainable forestry program [SFI] accused of greenwashing”: https://biv.com/article/2022/12/canadas-largest-sustainable-forestry-program-accused-greenwashing  For the real keeners, the full legal complaint can be viewed here: https://ecojustice.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/SFI-CB-Complaint-Final.pdf  The PEFC website: https://pefc.org/     

WHERE TO FIND PETER WOOD?

His LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-wood-66811128/   

ABOUT PETER WOOD FROM UBC

Peter has been working on issues related to forests and sustainability for over twenty years now, both within Canada and his home province of British Columbia, as well as overseas, in places like the Congo Basin and Borneo. He is currently a lecturer and coordinator with the Master of International Forestry Program at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.

PODCAST MUSIC

Special thanks to Joachim Regout who made the jingle. Have a look at his work here. 

I am happy to bring a sample of our strong bonds on these sound waves. Since I was a child, he made me discover a wide range of music of all kinds. I am also delighted he is a nature lover and shares the Look4Loops 'out of the box philosophy'. He is an inspiring source of creativity for me.