October - December 2013
Weyerhaeuser Company : Weyerhaeuser Joins International Voices in Support of Forest Certification
Actions Align with Weyerhaeuser's Commitment to High Standards of Forest Management
Nov 5, 2013
FEDERAL WAY, Wash., Nov. 5, 2013/PRNewswire/ — Weyerhaeuser Company this week joined 25 of the world's leading forest products companies in announcing the need to significantly scale up sustainable forest management.
Weyerhaeuser and the 25 other members of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) Forest Solutions Group are responsible for nearly 40 percent of annual global forest product, paper and packaging sales. These companies are committed to transforming forest-related challenges into forest-based opportunities and solutions.
The companies endorsed the announcement following an international discussion including three forest certification systems - the Forest Stewardship Council, the Sustainable Forest Initiativer and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification - at WBCSD's Council Meeting in Istanbul, Nov. 4. The Leadership Statement on the Value and Future of Forest Certification recognizes that reducing forest loss is a global societal priority requiring immediate and concerted action.
Earlier this year, Weyerhaeuser attained international stakeholder membership in the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification, the world's largest forest certification system and the certification system of choice for small, non-industrial private forests. PEFC, which is made up of large forest owners and hundreds of thousands of family forest owners around the world, has endorsed two North American certifications standards, including the Sustainable Forestry Initiative. In the United States, PEFC also endorses the American Tree Farm System, which means landowners certified to SFI and Tree Farm also comply with the PEFC's internationally-recognized sustainability benchmark.
"Our collective statement today and our stakeholder membership in PEFC aligns with our commitment to responsible fiber sourcing, especially from family-owned forests," said Weyerhaeuser Vice President for Sustainable Forestry Cassie Phillips.
PEFC promotes good practice in the forest and across the supply chain to ensure that forest products are sourced with respect for the highest ecological, social and ethical standards. Today, PEFC has recognized certification systems in 30 countries. Together these account for more than 593 million acres of certified forests. The PEFC and SFI labels help customers and consumers identify products from responsibly managed forests.
Weyerhaeuser owns, leases or licenses 20.5 million acres of forests in North America certified to SFI, and more than 300,000 acres in Uruguay certified to FSC and PEFC. Learn more about certification at Weyerhaeuser.
Phillips continued, "Having wood come from sustainably-managed forests is important to our customers and consumers. This commitment is shared by the more than 13,000 Weyerhaeuser employees who work and serve our customers worldwide."
If you would like more information on Weyerhaeuser's statement in support of sustainable forest management and membership in PEFC, please contact Lee Kellerat 206-799-3805 or lee@thekellergroup.com.