FSC Friday - 25th September 2009

Although events to raise awareness of FSC’s role in protecting the world’s forests are taking place around the globe, not surprisingly the UK continues to lead the way in the number and variety of promotions and activities. Click here for details.

FSC UK’s Deputy Director, Rosie Teasdale, explains 'We want to use FSC Friday to make people more aware of the importance of responsible forestry and the role of FSC. Around the world, ancient forests are still being destroyed through irresponsible and illegal logging at an alarming rate, with long-term and perhaps irreversible consequences for biodiversity, landscapes, forest dwellers and the globe’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide. Unfortunately, products from these destructive practices all too easily find their way onto the shelves of British shops. Buying items marked with the FSC logo gives consumers confidence that they are supporting only those foresters committed to the highest standards of sustainability.'

'We are delighted that FSC Friday is now being recognised around the world. In the UK, companies and forest owners are building on the experiences of last year’s event and are promoting FSC in a variety of ways – from business to business seminars to discounts on FSC products, through guided walks and bike rides round FSC certified forests to talks to local schools. More than 10% of all FSC certificates awarded for responsible timber-trading across the globe are held by UK businesses. By getting this positive message out to even more companies and shoppers, through initiatives such as FSC Friday, the UK will surely remain a leading example of excellence in forest product sourcing.'

(c) Forest Stewardship Council 2009 - www.fsc-uk.org

About FSC

FSC is an international, non-governmental organisation dedicated to promoting responsible management of the world’s forests. It was founded in 1993 in response to public concern about deforestation and demand for a trustworthy wood-labelling scheme. There are national working groups more than 50 countries including the UK. FSC UK is a registered charity. It is supported by NGOs including WWF, Greenpeace and the Woodland Trust.

Every year an area half the size of the UK is cleared of natural forests: temperate and tropical, North and South and on every continent. These forests, which once covered half of the planet, are irreplaceable and their loss has profound economic, social and environmental impacts. Sixty million indigenous people and countless species of plants and animals are wholly dependent on forests to live and forests support up to 1.6 billion of the poorest people in the world.

The products of this illegal trade can be found throughout the UK, from building sites to private homes. We think this is unacceptable and we exist to make sure people can buy timber and wood products with the confidence that they are contributing towards safeguarding the world’s forests.

The FSC runs a global forest certification system with two key components: Forest Management and Chain of Custody certification. This system allows consumers to identify, purchase and use timber and forest products produced from well-managed forests.

The FSC logo
The Forest Stewardship Council’s “tick tree” logo is used on product labels to indicate whether products are certified under the FSC system. When you see the FSC logo on a label you can buy timber and other wood products, such as paper, with the confidence that you are not contributing to the destruction of the world’s forests.

FSC UK is legally and financially independent of FSC international. It sets forest management standards for the UK, promotes the system and provides an information service.