Posted on April, 09 2015

WWF France and Rougier Group will work together in a three-year strategic collaboration that focuses on advancing sustainable forestry in Africa and responsible supply chains in Europe. The collaboration between WWF, a leading environmental NGO, and Rougier, an integrated forest & trade company, sends a strong signal that addressing environmental sustainability makes good business sense.
 
Rougier is a key player in the European market and sources timber from a number of WWF priority regions. Rougier has production forests and facilities in Cameroon, Gabon and Republic of Congo and an import, trade and marketing branch in France. The company holds Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Forest Management Certificates for some concessions in Gabon and Cameroon, and its subsidiary Rougier Sylvaco-Panneaux holds an FSC and PEFC Chain of Custody certificate.

Through the Global Forest & Trade Network (GFTN), one of WWF’s leading initiatives to promote responsible forestry and trade, WWF will support Rougier in maintaining and strengthening its objectives to increase the volumes of credibly certified products, especially through market links, as well as in ensuring that the company is successful in implementing responsible due diligence measures required by the EU Timber Regulation.
 
On the forestry side, Rougier and WWF have agreed to focus on:

• Development and implementation of relevant indicators for wildlife management and monitoring in Rougier’s concessions in Gabon
• Establishment of effective mechanisms for local development in Cameroon
• Supporting the well-functioning of the anti-poaching unit (USLAB) in Northern Congo
• Enabling a better functioning of the local development fund financed by Rougier and contributing directly to local development in Congo. 

“Rougier and WWF have worked together for years. This new collaboration enables us to join forces on an even greater scale,” said Francis Rougier, the Rougier Group’s CEO. “Sustainable development is integral to our business and we are very pleased to be working with WWF as we continue to increase our responsible forest area and volume traded.”
 
“Key ecosystems in climate regulation, forests have always been one of WWF’s priorities. They represent real carbon sinks as forests accumulate 20 to 50 times more CO2 than other ecosystems. Convinced by the role of leaders as Rougier to move the market functioning to a more sustainable approach, we are really pleased to welcome the group as a new GFTN member.” added Marie-Christine Korniloff, WWF France’s Head of Corporate Engagement. 
 
About Rougier
Created in 1923, the Rougier group is a leading producer of certified African tropical timber. The group has three core activities: Rougier Afrique International (harvesting of natural forests, industrial processing and international trade), Lignafrica (study, management and investment in industrial forest plantations in Africa), Rougier Sylvaco and Rougier Panneaux (import to France and distribution of various timber products of any origin).
 
About WWF France
WWF is one of the very first independent environmental-protection organizations in the world. With an active network in more than 100 countries and the support of 5 million members worldwide, the WWF works to halt the destruction of the planet's natural environment and to build a future where people live in harmony with nature by protecting global biological diversity, ensuring sustainable use of renewable natural resources and encouraging the reduction of pollution and waste.
 
Since 1973, WWF France has worked every day to ensure future generations enjoy a living planet. With the support of its volunteers and its 200,000 donors, WWF France organizes concrete actions to save natural ecosystems and their species, ensure the promotion of sustainable lifestyles, train decision-makers, help businesses reduce their environmental footprint and educate the young. But for change to be accepted, it must take place in a manner that respects each individual. That is why the philosophy of the WWF is based on dialogue and action.
 
About GFTN
The Global Forest & Trade Network (GFTN) is one of WWF’s leading initiatives to eliminate illegal logging and drive improvements in forest management while transforming the global marketplace into a force for saving the world’s valuable and threatened forests. First established in 1991, the GFTN is the world’s longest-running and largest forest and trade program of its kind – assisting hundreds of companies in evaluating their procurement and implementing appropriate action plans to ensure responsible sourcing as well as sustainable supply. By facilitating trade links between companies committed to responsible forestry, the GFTN plays a key role in creating market conditions that help conserve forests while providing economic and social benefits for the businesses and people that depend on them.
 
For more information, contact: 
WWF France
Annabelle Ledoux - + 33 (0) 1 55 25 77 26 - +33 (0)6  1456 3739 - aledoux@wwf.fr
Marielle Chaumien - +33 (0)1 55 25 84 61 - +33 (0) 6 1539 2495 - mchaumien@wwf.fr