COP 16: Over 25% of all production forests globally are PEFC certified, demonstrating sustainable management

29 October 2024 Event report

How to incentivise smallholders for sustainable commodity production in a world of increasingly complex supply chains was part of discussion at the “Next-Gen Forest Solution – Financing A Systemic Solution for Forest and Biodiversity Conservation” side event at COP 16 in Cali, Colombia.

“In the end, it is producers whom we want to produce commodities sustainably, and many of them are smallholders,” highlighted Thorsten Arndt, Head of Advocacy at PEFC International, during the panel discussion.

“It has been important that brand owners and retailers have specified PEFC in their procurement policies, as this has led to widespread adaption of certification, yet it has also placed a financial strain on producers who must absorb the costs of compliance.”

To scale up responsible commodity production, it is therefore important to incentivise smallholders to manage their forests sustainably and obtain certification. With more than one million certified smallholders, PEFC has demonstrated that its existing structures can be leveraged to bring more forests under sustainable forest management.

PEFC’s Global Impact

Thorsten Arndt emphasised the substantial impact of PEFC, whose certification covers over 25% of all production forests globally.

This certification plays a crucial role in ensuring sustainable forest management practices are implemented and maintained.

The discussions at COP 16 underscored the importance of certification in driving sustainable practices within the forestry sector.

Despite the challenges, the commitment of organisations like PEFC and the collaborative efforts of stakeholders offer a promising path forward.

As Thorsten Arndt and other experts highlighted, sustainable forest management is not just about preserving biodiversity but also about supporting the livelihoods of millions and combating climate change.

Join us at COP 16 on Wednesday

Join us on 30 October, 11:30 at The Netherlands Pavilion, and hear about the vital role of sustainable forest management for biodiversity from experts including Caitlin Clarke from BTG Pactual Timberland Investment Group, Patricia Machado from Ibá, Marina Negrisoli from Suzano, Bernard de Galembert from WBCSD, and our Head of Advocacy, Thorsten Arndt.

This side event, hosted by IBA, WBCSD, and PEFC, will spotlight successful practices, innovative projects, how they contribute to the Global Biodiversity Framework, and the challenges faced by forestry stakeholders worldwide in promoting biodiversity conservation.