Sustainability Certification in Wartime

Authors: Pavlo Kravets, Yevhenii Khan, Yaroslav Demianenko, Julia Springmann, Annika Burger 

Russia's attacks on Ukraine's territorial integrity have now persisted for over a decade – the occupation of Crimea in 2014 marked its eleventh anniversary at the end of February 2025, and this week marks the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion. For many Ukrainians, this has meant immeasurable suffering and deprivation. Nevertheless, life continues in many parts of the country.

Particularly in regions not directly affected by the war, people and businesses are working on the country's economic development. This also applies to forestry and its evolution toward greater ecological and social sustainability. FSC Ukraine works tirelessly on new standards and on establishing progressive forestry practices in a battered country. Still, it means working under difficult conditions – working in a country at war. 

Since 2022, a lot has changed for the FSC Ukraine team. Meeting the demanding ecological, social, and economic requirements of the certification system while maintaining operations during wartime seemed impossible, especially in the beginning. Yet challenges breed innovation and flexibility. Hybrid work, adjustments to increase security for operational activities – such as working online in shelters during air raids – and the dedicated commitment of on-site staff to maintain communication with certificate holders, partners, and stakeholders in the country and worldwide. 

 "Even in wartime, we haven't refused a single request, though occasionally we must postpone or cancel planned meetings. Everyone should be able to rely on us as FSC representatives fulfilling our mission in the country, even under these extraordinary circumstances," said Pavlo Kravets,  Director of FSC Ukraine. 

The impact of war on forest certification 

Anyone who experiences the Ukrainian conflict primarily through television and other news channels, can hardly imagine that work can continue in such a country. However, one must not forget that fighting does not occur in all parts of the country. In fact, most FSC-certified forest areas are in western Ukraine, while most military actions have so far taken place in the south-east of the country (see map below). Amidst economic challenges, wood processing companies still operating in Ukraine offer European stakeholders an opportunity to import high-quality FSC-certified materials, especially now that traditional sources from Russia and Belarus are no longer available (certificates were terminated due to war actions, and materials from Russia and Belarus are prohibited in FSC supply chains). It is, moreover, an opportunity to support the Ukrainian economy.  

Natalia Pokinska, Managing Director of Kronospan UA LLC, one of the country's largest wood-based panel manufacturers, told FSC International: "Currently, FSC certification is not only important but essential to support the Ukrainian economy and create jobs for those who haven't migrated and those who have been relocated. Wood processing plants and furniture factories have almost lost their local markets. It is therefore urgently necessary to find new customers abroad." 

Everyday central FSC topics such as occupational safety take on an entirely different dimension when viewed in the light of armed conflicts. A central priority for the FSC team in Ukraine is therefore continuous engagement with the National indicators in the FSC Forest Stewardship Standard to take account of the changing realities of war.  

The new FSC Forest Stewardship Standard for Ukraine took effect in September 2024. Pavlo Kravets explained that "as the war affects both on-site work in the forest and how companies operate, we've worked hard to adapt our standards to remain demanding while accounting for the circumstances."  

Contribution to Workplace Health and Safety 

Beyond economically, socially, and ecologically sustainable forestry, FSC makes an important contribution to workplace health and safety for forest workers. For instance, Ukraine's national FSC standard excludes war zones and mined forest areas from management to ensure the safety of forest workers. "Ukraine is under the observation of the entire world, and the fact that FSC Ukraine contributes to the safety of forest workers under such difficult conditions is key to preserving forests for future generations and the development of society," emphasises Volodymyr Tkachuk, Chairman of the Ukrainian Forest Workers' Union. 

Sustainable Recovery 

Domestically, the four-person team of FSC Ukraine advocates for certified businesses by seeking dialogue with national stakeholders and engaging the FSC network, which includes members of FSC International and FSC offices in many countries. But there is also activity beyond the country’s borders. The first "ReBuild Ukraine" meeting took place in Warsaw in 2023. This international specialist event focuses on rebuilding Ukraine after the destruction caused by the war. It brings together representatives from business, politics, and humanitarian organisations to discuss solutions for rebuilding residential buildings, energy supply, and other infrastructure,  The goal is to promote investments and international partnerships to support sustainable and resilient development of the country. In 2024, FSC International also participated in Rebuild Ukraine with a delegation of country representatives from Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia to represent their Ukrainian colleagues, who did not receive travel authorisation. 

Wood is an essential raw material for climate-friendly, resilient, and resource-conserving reconstruction. The Ukrainian government plans to advance the decarbonisation of the construction sector through increased use of wood to replace cement and steel, among other things. At the 2024 ReBuild Ukraine an online event, 'European Initiatives on Sustainable Constructing with Wood: Experience and Lessons for Ukraine', stressed the part that could be played by certified wood in particular . It summarised the results of 'The Role of Wood Construction in Ukraine's Recovery: Overview of Strategies and Initiatives,’ a study commissioned by FSC Ukraine. That study highlighted the current obstacles and opportunities for using wood to decarbonise the construction sector and analysed the positions of the Ukrainian government, the European Union, international financial institutions, and civil society on using wood in reconstruction projects. Over 60 interested participants followed the presentations by the team from Ukraine, who joined online. 

"There is a lack of effective communication channels" 

Especially in light of reconstruction, new perspectives will emerge for the Ukrainian forestry sector, including with regard to the EU Green Deal and initiatives such as the New European Bauhaus and the related likely increase in "climate conditioning" in reconstruction financing. However, while many donors, construction companies, and architects recognise the benefits of wood in rebuilding the country, there is a lack of effective communication channels through which they can reach Ukrainian FSC certificate holders, according to Kravets. FSC Ukraine has now taken on this role: "As FSC Ukraine, we have become an important point of contact for creating these new connections." 

FSC has faced repeated criticism in Ukraine in recent years. Corruption and weak state institutions are nationwide challenges that increase the risk of illegal logging in the country. FSC Ukraine has already achieved much and done genuine pioneering work in this regard with enormous effort and commitment. But the staff also know that the necessary changes take time.  

"We must be pragmatic and recognise that the FSC vision needs time to effect a change in thinking toward closer-to-nature forest management," Yevhenii Khan, Chain of Custody and Integrity manager at FSC Ukraine  explains. "This requires a generational change in forestry and is a major challenge for all involved. FSC Ukraine will continue to try to contribute to the solution with its expertise and the introduction of new technologies."