Posted on July, 31 2014

Special Edition: Responsible Asia Forestry & Trade Partnership (RAFT)

Hightlights

The RAFT partnership

RAFT has shown that the growing global demand for timber products that are legal, sustainable – and increasingly, low-carbon – can be a powerful engine to manage the forests of Asia Pacific without destroying their vulnerable ecologies and the lives of the millions of people who depend on them.

In focus: Forestry in Indonesia, China and Vietnam

The crisis brought about by widespread destructive forest practices in Asia Pacific over the past decade, and increasing awareness of deforestation among consumers, is slowly prompting a shift in the region's forest sector policies. WWF/GFTN has been playing an active role to promote legal compliance in the region and help companies attain FSC certification.

Sumalindo sets example of community collaboration

Sumalindo Lestari Jaya IV (SLJ IV) has fundamentally changed the way it works with communities to manage its forest concession in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. SLJ IV has worked closely with RAFT partners WWF/GFTN and TNC to implement a responsible forest management programme that involves eradicating social conflict and protecting biodiversity.

FSC certification opens doors for Paiyangshan Forest Farm

FSC certification has created new profit avenues for Chinese state-owned forest farm Paiyangshan. The company, based in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, is one of the few companies blazing the trail for China in the area of responsible forest management.

Nghia Phat brings sustainable furniture to consumers

Vietnam's Nghia Phat Wooden Furniture Co., which exports garden furniture to the US and Europe, is increasingly sourcing FSC-certified timber to ensure that it's meeting the legality requirements of consumer markets.

Forexco a role model for community collaboration

Forexco, the first GFTN-Vietnam participant to get FSC certification, is setting a new model for community engagement. The company has granted forest provisions to each local household within its forest concession, and provided monetary, social and technical support to boost employment.

Countering illegal timber trade with legislation

The enactment of laws in major consumer countries in the last few years has resulted in a significant shift in the legal landscape for the forestry sector. To complement these efforts, several producer nations are developing their own national legality standards. This is a step in the right direction, though much work has to be done in this arena, particularly in Asia Pacific.

Media turns spotlight on responsible forestry

In 2013, journalists from around the world travelled to RAFT sites in Indonesia, China and Vietnam to watch responsible forestry in action. The press trips were designed to showcase how responsible forestry works from the forest to the factory floor and why it matters.

National Legality Frameworks: Assisting stakeholders to understand legality

WWF/GFTN and TRAFFIC's National Legality Frameworks are designed to help governments and companies understand relevant laws, regulations, administrative circulars and contractual obligations that affect forestry operations, timber processing and trade.

Raising awareness through training

WWF/GFTN and TRAFFIC organised a series of training events in 2013 to help company executives, government officials, and industry associations gain better awareness of how to verify the legality of timber sources and improve forest management practices.

The business case for responsible forest management & trade

Companies have repeatedly cited the business case for responsible forest management and purchasing, from contributing to the need to sustain raw material supplies in the long term to satisfying the ethical concerns of consumers, shareholders and employees.

RAFT partner achievements

RAFT partners The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Tropical Forest Foundation (TFF) and The Forest Trust (TFT) are working across Asia Pacific to build capacity, engaging key stakeholders and working with communities to improve social and economic well-being.