Carbon and Water Challenges ahead for Sustainable Forests.

Geneva, 4 June 2009 – Sustainability in the forest sector was about much more than forests, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development’s James Griffiths told an international seminar in Lisbon, Portugal, this week.

Production processes, energy, carbon footprint and water were growing considerations, Griffiths, managing director of ecosystems, water and the sustainable forest products industry at the WBCSD, told the meeting. As well, the rise of social equity issues meant “pro-poor” investment strategies were needed, along with increased support for local entrepreneurs and benefit sharing.

There was also growing pressure for greater reporting and independent verification. “We are being asked to prove our sustainability credentials on a consistent and credible basis,” Griffiths said.

The seminar, titled “The Forest: The Path to Sustainable Prosperity”, attracted speakers from around the world. The aim of the gathering, organized by the Portucel Soporcel group, was to generate in-depth reflection on the forestry sector in Portugal and examine the challenges and opportunities for the sector and the paper industry in Portugal and around the world. Topics included the challenges and opportunities ahead, forest fires, the future of the forestry sector and prospects for forest commodities.

Globally, sustainable forests are increasingly being seen as of social and economic importance, boosting jobs and exports, leading to wealth creation, local development and stronger communities, with benefits for land use and nature conservation.

Griffiths said current business models would need to change to develop new opportunities associated with bioenergy, biochemicals, biotechnology associated with intensively managed planted forests and advanced wood-based building systems and construction materials.

“The big issue of the moment is managing greenhouse gas emissions and fully leveraging the carbon storage and sequestration benefits of sustainable forest management and harvested wood products,” he said after the meeting, “The next big issue will be water — and we are only just beginning to make the links between water, energy and climate change.

“On a global scale, sustainable procurement will become an even bigger issue. Customers are increasingly using a portfolio of approaches to determine whether a particular product is sustainable. That’s why the WBCSD, together with the World Resources Institute, has just released an update to its sustainable procurement guide. With more than 30 different approaches it can be confusing for customers. Our guide helps them make the right choice.”