International Day of Forests
International Day of Forests, is celebrated every year on March 21st. The day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012 to raise awareness about the importance of forests and trees and to promote sustainable forest management.
Forests are critical to our planet’s health and well-being. Forests cover about one-third of the Earth’s land area and are incredibly important ecosystems that provide a wide range of benefits to the planet and its inhabitants. They support biodiversity by providing critical habitat for countless plant and animal species, forests are home to 80% of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity and they help to regulate the Earth’s climate and water cycle by absorbing and storing carbon dioxide and water. Forests also provide a range of economic benefits, such as timber and non-timber forest products, as well as tourism and recreational opportunities. Protecting and restoring forests is crucial to ensuring a sustainable future for the planet and all its inhabitants.
However, forests are facing many threats, including deforestation, forest depletion, and climate change. Deforestation occurs when forests are cut down or burned for agriculture, logging, or other purposes. This process leads to the loss of biodiversity, soil erosion, and carbon emissions, which contribute to climate change. Forest depletion, on the other hand, is the process of reducing the quality of the forest ecosystem, such as the loss of biomass and carbon storage due to forest fires, or invasive species.
There are several programs around the world that advocate against deforestation and biodiversity conservation, as well as workers’ rights and fair wages in the sector. Sustainable forest management certification is voluntary third-party certification that recognize forest management practices that meet specific environmental, social and economic criteria. These certificates are designed to promote responsible forest management and ensure that timber and forest products are sourced in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. Some of the most well-known sustainable forest management certifications include the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®), the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), also others such as Rainforest Alliance program and Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO).
Sustainable forest management certification is an important tool for promoting responsible forest management and ensuring that forests continue to provide critical ecological, economic, and cultural benefits for generations to come.
BM Certification offers certification services for these and many other certification programs.
License code FSC-A000521