Responsible Forest Trade

The WWF is run at a local level by the following offices...

WWF's Global Forest and Trade Network (GFTN) promotes the adoption of Policies for the Responsible Purchase of forest products and links with markets as strategies that contribute to reduce illegal logging and trade while at the same time promoting market mechanisms that guarantee the sustainability of forests worldwide. The commercial component of the WWF Bolivia Forest Programme is based on these strategies and methods and applies them at both the national and international market level.

On the national market: The "Cities for Forests" initiative aims at engaging national municipalities and non forest companies in Bolivia to assume a Responsible Purchase of Forest Products Policy to promote the trade and differentiated consumption of products with a legal origin, products coming from certified forests or forests under management. These municipalities and companies feed their demand of forest products preferably with the responsible offer produced by forest companies who are members of the Bolivia Forest and Trade Network (GFTN), and, if necessary, by other companies which previously qualify their offer through Ibnorca's wood origin inspection mechanism.
On the international market: The focus is on linking the Bolivian FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified supply, or in process of FSC certification, with the responsible demand from companies abroad (in 22 countries worldwide). This is achieved through the participation of Bolivian companies supplying forest products in the Bolivia Forest and Trade Network (GFTN).

"Cities for Forests" initiative
This initiative seeks to establish agreements with environmentally committed institutions and/or companies so that they can become the actors in promoting change as well as the medium for conservation and sustainable use of our forests by adopting preferential purchasing policies in their acquisition programs.

It is aimed at the primary users of forest products (governmental organizations and companies), who, either because of their purchase volume or leadership in the market, generate a multiplying effect that motivates others to follow in their steps and thus use the force of the market to favor conservation.

The companies or institutions that adopt a policy for Responsible Purchases should gradually modify, within a determined time period, the volume of materials and/or forest products from non-sustainable or untrustworthy sources to those sources that are certified and under management according to their availability in the market.

Trunks being processed at La Chonta timber company (member of Bolivia FTN - Forest and Trade ...
© WWF / Andrés UNTERLADSTAETTER

Trunks being processed at La Chonta timber company (member of Bolivia FTN - Forest and Trade Network).

Worker at La Chonta timber company (member of Bolivia FTN – Forest and Trade Network).

Bolivia Forest and Trade Network (GFTN)
The Bolivia GFTN facilitates the contact between certified Bolivian producers and / or those progressing towards certification - timber companies along the entire productive chain, producers and/or forest managers, primary and / or secondary transformation companies, wholesalers, retailers, etc. - with consumers, wholesalers, retailers, and/or large international buyers committed with the increase in the responsible use of forest resources and products that have adopted Responsible Purchasing Policies and are members of the GFTN.