© Tran Phuoc Lam / WWF
Forest Stewardship Council

Established in 1994, FSC enables businesses and consumers to make informed choices about the forest products they buy, and create positive change in the forest products market.

FSC, with its robust system and balanced decision-making process, provides the most credible forest certification scheme at present. Independent research also confirms that FSC certification has positive impacts on the environment, social development and governance.

The studies on this page, led or supported by WWF, provide further important insights into practical impacts of FSC certification on a company's bottom line and on the environment.

  1. Economic impacts of FSC Certification

    Profitability and sustainability in responsible forestry: Economic impacts of FSC certification on forest operators

    A new WWF study offers much needed insights into the economic impacts of FSC certification on forest operators.

    Through primary research on 11 forestry entities operating across four continents, the report finds that the financial benefits of FSC tend to outweigh the costs for tropical forest producers and small- and medium-enterprises, groups that are key players in the forest products sector and play an important role in managing forests sustainably.

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FSC & WWF

Forest management that is environmentally sound, socially just and economically viable, can help meet society’s needs while preserving important conservation values, thereby increasing the value of a standing forest and preventing conversion to other land uses.

But forest certification has yet to provide much of a stimulant to spread locally controlled forest management. Despite many efforts to establish forest certification amongst small-scale forest managers and owners, its spread is limited because the high costs involve outweigh the tangible benefits.

Forests Forward wants to work specifically with this group of forest stewards on achieving positive forest outcomes. Where possible, synergies are being sought with initiatives supporting smallholders.