Wood True sustainability starts with responsible sourcing. Choosing sustainably produced wood is good business Wood is one of the world’s most versatile resources. It’s durable, recyclable, beautiful, and has a lower carbon footprint than other building materials. But industries that rely on wood can threaten the long-term viability of the forests they depend on if they don’t commit to sustainable sourcing. FSC certification is a proven method to help industries ensure healthy, resilient forests for generations to come. iStock.com / Jui-Chi Chan FSC / Marius Čepulis FSC / Milan Reška Certification with real-world impact When you source FSC-certified wood, you’re supporting: Prevents deforestation Trees are harvested and managed responsibly to prevent deforestation and forest degradation. Forest areas with irreplaceable value, such as old growth forests, are identified and maintained. Fair wage and work environment Workers are provided with proper training, adequate safety protocols, and fair wages. Biodiversity protection Plant and animal species are protected. Community rights Local communities living in and around forest areas are consulted and their legal and cultural rights to land and forest resources are respected. Are you a forest manager? Obtain FSC forest-management certification and start supplying sustainably sourced wood to markets around the world. Learn more about the FSC certification process and do your part to support sustainable forestry. Get certified → Put FSC-certified timber to work for your business If you work with wood, we can help you build a more sustainable future. FSC / Paintbrush (Nespoli Deutschland ) Construction Sourcing FSC-certified timber is a smart choice for sustainably minded builders. You’ll protect the integrity of your brand while making real change for the health and resilience of the world’s forests. Learn more → iStock.com / Juliano703 Furniture From local artisans to global corporations, furniture businesses can make a difference for the world’s forests by choosing FSC certification. Learn more → FSC / Phil Sharp Lesser-known timber species Explore the environmental, social, and economic benefits of sourcing valuable but often overlooked timber species for your projects. Our library contains more than 250 species, all sourced from FSC-certified forests. Learn more → Branch out with certified tropical forest products Protect the world’s most important ecosystems by supporting responsible forest management. Tropical forests are highly valued for their biodiversity and the role they play in supporting life on earth. These forests are also the source of beautiful tropical timber, which people love for its durability, weather-resistance, and aesthetics. But while it may seem like a good idea to avoid sourcing from tropical forests altogether, reducing the demand for tropical timber and other forest products can have unintended consequences locally. Interholco / Tullia Baldassarri Without sufficient demand for tropical forest materials, forest owners, whose livelihoods depend on the land, may be forced to clear forests for agriculture. Fortunately, this doesn’t have to be the case: The Forest Stewardship Council provides a solution that ensures tropical forests are managed responsibly. Increasing the demand for sustainably sourced tropical timber can safeguard forests from the major drivers of deforestation and support the livelihood of local populations. See how FSC-certified tropical timber is good for forests and people iStock.com / LuPa Creative FSC announces the winners of the 2021 Furniture Awards Learn more → How the Indigenous Baaka of the Congo are saving forests See how → Sofiia Levchuk Ukrainian women entrepreneurs in wood industry call for more trade partners from the EU market Learn more →