WWF announces Williams-Sonoma, Inc. as newest member of Global Forest & Trade Network

Oct 27, 2008. /Lesprom.com/. World Wildlife Fund (WWF) announced that Williams-Sonoma, Inc. has joined the Global Forest & Trade Network (GFTN), WWF’s initiative to save the world’s most valuable and threatened forests. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is a leading specialty retailer of high quality products for the home. By joining GFTN, Williams-Sonoma Inc., has committed to increase the proportion of wood products in its supply chain that originate from credibly certified forests and to phase out unknown and unwanted wood sources for its brands in the United States and Canada. With deforestation accounting for nearly 30% of all global carbon emissions, WWF officials hailed the agreement as an important step forward in efforts to halt climate change and protect forests and species. “Retailers and consumers both have a role to play in saving the forests and the people and animals depending on them. Knowing and caring about the source of wood products is an important first step,” said WWF President and CEO Carter Roberts. “With this agreement, Williams-Sonoma is demonstrating leadership and a strong commitment to responsible business practices that we hope will serve as an example that other companies follow.” “At Williams-Sonoma, Inc., we believe in responsible management of natural resources. In partnership with GFTN, we will take our wood sourcing to one of the highest standards in the industry,” said Laura Alber, President of Williams-Sonoma, Inc. “This is yet another way that our brands can provide our customers with home furnishings that they will be proud to own, while meeting their needs around quality, design and value.” GFTN members have annual forest products sales of nearly $53 billion per year, are engaged in 174 trading deals with fellow members, and employ over 2.7 million people globally. Williams-Sonoma, Inc.’s commitment includes the importation and sale of wood-based furniture. Within one year, Williams-Sonoma, Inc. will complete an assessment of the wood used in its furniture to determine its origin and whether the wood is from well-managed forests. Once the assessment is completed and within five years, Williams-Sonoma, Inc. has committed to obtain wood from known sources that are responsibly managed and ensure that important environmental and social values are protected.