The construction industry is calling for more FSC®-certified forests

What goes around comes around. Several manufacturers in the construction industry hope that the saying will be taken literally when they now demand more FSC-certified forests in Denmark. Timber from documented responsible forests is in high demand, and supply is struggling to keep up.

Loa Dalgaard Worm, Director of Strategy and Development at FSC Denmark, says:

"We have reached the point where the market demand for timber with third-party certification is high. This is a combination of developers wanting more wood in their projects and with a larger proportion of it being certified. This is evident among several Danish producers that have very ambitious policies for their timber procurement.

"The challenge is that there is a lack of FSC-certified forests in Denmark. 20 per cent of Danish forests are FSC-certified, which is a lower proportion than in countries such as Sweden and Poland. We are therefore now appealing to private forest owners and landowners. We have made it easier to FSC-certify Danish forests, especially for smaller forest owners. Among other things, the number of requirements has been reduced and the requirements are more practical.

Loa Dalgaard Worm emphasises that the new appeal is not a criticism of forest owners who have hitherto acted in line with the market.

“The forestry industry has been waiting for demand to take off. At the same time, there has been a need to revise and optimise the Danish FSC forestry standard. Over the past year, developments in both areas have made certification more attractive to forest owners," she says.  

Biodiversity and space for all

The growth in certified buildings has contributed to a "ketchup effect". Among other things, FSC-certified products have a positive impact on DGNB certification of buildings.

Loa Dalgaard Worm lists a number of advantages of choosing products made from wood sourced from certified Danish forests, in addition to the documentation provided by the certification:

"Everyone who works in the forest, whether directly employed or not, must at least be paid the minimum wage set by collective agreement. Another advantage is that the owner of an FSC-certified forest must ensure good access conditions for neighbours and users of the forest, such as forest kindergartens, walkers and mountain bikers.

"And then, of course, there is the whole environmental angle. The forest owner must establish protection zones around the nesting trees of sensitive bird species. At the same time, at least 10 per cent of each forest must be managed with the aim of preserving and promoting biodiversity so that animals and plants thrive under good conditions. The FSC demands a holistic perspective, and an annual inspection is carried out to ensure that the forests can be documented as meeting the requirements. 

Significantly reduces CO₂ consumption

Loa Dalgaard Worm hopes that the interest in certified timber from developers, architects and consultants will continue. She urges people to choose wood products based on functionality so that there is enough certified wood, also globally.

“In general, we find that people know very little about the properties of different tree species, which has led to a lot of demand for a limited number of species, which are now under considerable pressure. Why not look for similar properties among the other 60,000 tree species in the world? Overall, wood has many fantastic properties that also align with a number of UN Sustainable Development Goals. Simply by using wood rather than brick for a building’s load-bearing structure, you can easily reduce carbon emissions by 20 per cent, and often much more – providing, of course, that the wood comes from sustainable forestry operations,” says Loa Dalgaard Worm.

FACTS AND FIGURES: 10 good reasons to choose FSC-certified timber

1. FSC ensures comprehensive care for nature, animals and people in the forests.
2. The FSC label guarantees that no more trees are felled than the forest can reproduce itself.
3. Tracts of FSC-certified forests are spared commercial logging, and areas with endangered flora and fauna are protected.
4. Indigenous populations, such as Native American and Sami people, are guaranteed their right to use the forest as they always have done. For example, sacred areas and hunting grounds are protected from felling.
5. Local workers are trained, given safety equipment and paid a decent wage.
6. The local population benefits from the income generated by the forest and local labour is used.
7. All wood can be traced back to responsible forestry and sources. All stages of production – from forest to factory – are certified.
8. FSC certification offers viable business opportunities – for forest owners, workers and manufacturers. As an added advantage, FSC ensures nature and people have better living conditions.
9. All forest types can be FSC-certified, from Nordic coniferous forests to tropical rainforests – and even plantations.
10. The FSC label can be found on all types of products made from wood fibres, such as flooring, decking, paper, barbecue charcoal, insulation, furniture, interior design, jewellery and packaging.  

Source: FSC Denmark