1. The campaigning NGO for greater environmental and social justice, with a focus on forests and forest peoples rights in the policies and practices of the EU Creating Sustainable Timber Markets Launch of the European STTC An NGO Perspective Amsterdam - 6 November 2013 Indra Van Gisbergen

2. Increase demand “sustainable tropical timber” First preliminary question:  Voluntary certification schemes (ex.FSC) = driving SFM  Tropical forest certification = very limited –only 6% of tropical forest production is certified WHY is there little SFM in the tropics? Certification cannot address policy & institutional failure Certification does not address the root causes of poor governance: Lack of clarity of tenure Endemic corruption

3. Increase demand for sustainable tropical timber Second preliminary question: Does certification improves SFM in the tropics ? No evidence in countries with weak/absent governance Many certificates have been disputed, revoked or suspended : Ex. SIFORCO/Danzer – DRC

4. 1. How important are demand-side compared/in addition to supply-side measures ?  Action on both side is required – Go hand in hand - Need for simultaneous and complementary action  BUT danger : Increase of demand I ncrease of supply Unsustainable supply Cfr FSC Complaints panel Sodefor/DRC – Jan.2012 “Do not dramatically increase certified areas in regions without good governance

5. 1. How important are demand-side compared/in addition to supply-side measures ?  FLEGT Action plan = unique tool to: - bring demand & supply sides together - address illegal logging in producing + consumer countries  VPA = cornerstone of FLEGT Action plan - voluntary bilateral legally binding agreement  Please note: NO FLEGT licenses yet – Need to go until the finish

6. VPA Process = Innovative tool to improve forest governance How? Multi-stakeholder process Creating space for CSOs/Communities VPAs includes social dimensions Most VPAs include annexe on transparency and access to information VPA = motor for participatory legal reform (offers opportunity to strengthen community rights) VPA is a tool to address worrying trends: land grab – conversion timber

7. 2. Seven Do’s and don’ts for STTC partners DO’s Recognize: No sustainability, no certification without legality & governance Do not pretend certification is a real solution. Certification will not lead to SFM if structural problems are not addressed Companies Assess if certification is feasible & viable for outstanding companies in areas without good governance (ex. Congo Basin) Do not underestimate the burden of: -Action in non VPA countries - controversial certification undermine reputation Companies Support FLEGT action plan as tool for change Do not underestimate VPAs as key to certification success – accounatabiity & transarency, reduce risks All

8. 2. Seven Do’s and don’t s for coalition partners Integrate lessons learned from FLEGT/VPA process Ignore power of participation All Prioritize VPA implementation + Provide financial, technical and political support accordingly Do not underestimate complexity of VPA implementation All Increase the collaboration/dialogue with other consumer markets including Asian markets Ignore changing market trends All Support EUTR implementation of the EUTR Failure of EUTR implementation affects VPA implementation All

9. STTC Ambitions are particular challenging Reminder of IDH Report:  Highly unlikely certification will become mainstream practice in the tropics  Forecast: by 2030 2/3 tropical forests will remain uncertified 3. NGO’s contributions to STTC ambition and efforts

10. 4 concrete suggestions: NGOs should be involved: - Monitoring - STTC to develop a risk index for different countries, link NGOs in these countries confronted by negative impacts to the coalition  Support VPA + EUTR implementation  Support civil society – capacity building  Share the lessons learned from the FLEGT VPA with all stakeholders What NGO’s can do

11. Rue d’Edimbourg 26 1000 Bruxelles Belgique t +32 2 894 4693 e indra@fern.org www.fern.org The campaigning NGO for greater environmental and social justice, with a focus on forests and forest peoples rights in the policies and practices of the EU