FSC Russia launches its first awareness campaign

Oct 12, 2009. /Lesprom Network/. The FSC Russia National Office in collaboration with WWF Russia and several other partners have launched a campaign to increase recognition of FSC in Russia. The campaign is the first of its kind to promote responsible timber production and consumption in the country, as Forest Stewardship Council. The campaign is targeting focus groups to raise awareness on the ecological, social and managerial differences between certified and non-certified forestry operations. It aims to increase recognition of the FSC logo from current levels of around zero to between three to eight percent. “By buying FSC certified products, responsible buyers can support ecologically and socially responsible forest companies, which use the best method of harvesting and forest regeneration,” said Andrei Ptichnikov, Director of FSC Russia. In collaboration with the campaign partners – Tetra Pak, IKEA, Mondi, NLK Domostroenie, Kinnarps, Kahrs and Homegart – FSC Russia aims to facilitate the growth in FSC certified products in the mid and long term. Vice-president of Tetra Pak CJSC Alexander Nikolaev said, “For us at Tetra Pak, it is vitally important that buyers of milk and juices give preference to cardboard packages produced from renewable timber sources, certified by FSC, which is the best credential of ecological production.” On 9 June 2009, FSC Russia, WWF Russia and their partners unveiled the campaign in Moscow with two events: a round table on “ecological paper for green office” aimed at the corporate sector, and accompanied by a press-conference for journalists. The campaign will run until May 2010 and is packed with round table discussions, training sessions, and press events. Russia holds the largest forest area in the world, yet, one in every five or six forest products are thought to originate from illegal or controversial sources, according to recent surveys of WWF Russia and information from Russia’s federal forest agency. The recent adoption of the new Russian Forest Code has ended the protection of nature conservation sites by the state. At the same time, international demand for FSC certified forest products is having a direct impact on forest management in Russia. Forest product companies trading to ethical markets are seeking FSC certification. More than 21 million hectares are now certified in Russia, representing 18% of globally FSC certified forests.