FSC reflected in scientific and professional literature

Forest Stewardship Council
• Tropical forestry operations, often located in regions with weaker workers’ rights laws and
operating on slimmer economic margins than their temperate counterparts, experienced
significantly higher social impacts than temperate operations. Environmental, economic,
legal, forest management and systems impacts were, however, roughly equal.
The specific wording of over half of (the 2099) conditions (given by SW to the 129 operations)
required substantive, on-the-ground change to occur (versus changes in procedures
and processes). When conditions involving environmental and forest management issue
were examined alone, the percentage of conditions requiring on-the-ground change increased
to 76%.” 86
More details about the findings of this research by Deanna Newsom and Daphne Hewitt,
TREES Program for the Rainforest Alliance (2005) will be shown in the following related subchapters.
2.1.11 Example from Russia
The Priluzye Model Forest in the Komi Republic of Russia provides an example of FSC certification
in which benefits for ecological and economical aspects in forest management and the
wider policy benefits are clear, while livelihood and economic benefits appear to be considerably
further down the line. Michal Karpachevskiy (2003) 87 describes:
“While there has been “some improvement” in forest management, “practical changes in
forestry practices were not so significant.” Welfare benefits have so far been limited. They
depend on processors making the necessary investments; but currently there is a lack of
market interest in certification. Short-term concessions reduce investment incentives, local
companies do not produce end products, and demand for certified round wood is low. In
spite of this, two logging companies have expressed interest in obtaining a chain of custody
certificate. Another constraint is the instability of local forestry authorities. The Forest
Service originally opposed voluntary certification in Russia, rather proposing a mandatory
system. Although this was disbanded and the Ministry of Natural Resources assumed authority,
the certification process in Russia currently (2003) lacks a strong institutional basis.”
86 ibid.
87 Karpachevskiy, Michal (2003): Priluzye Model Forest, Russia. Case study In: Michael Richards (2004): Certification
in Complex Socio-Political Settings. Washington, D.C. © 2004 Forest Trends. http://www.forest-trends.org
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