On The Ground 2011 - The controversies of PEFC and SFI

Key conclusions of On the Ground 2011  of the report: 

This report details 21 case studies and examples of issues from around the world which are causing concern about the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes (PEFC). 

The cases demonstrate the failure of PEFC to deliver on promises made in a number of areas, focusing on the following key issues: 

• Whether the system allows conversion of natural forests  to other uses, and especially the 

degradation of natural forests with high biodiversity and high carbon storage values, to low 

biodiversity forests with low carbon storage values, plantations or development. 

• Whether the system protects critical forest ecological values and endangered forests .Key in this regard is whether there is adequate protection for the habitats of endangered and threatened 

species, and for special, rare or disappearing ecosystems. 

• Whether local communities or indigenous peoples’ rights are respected . 

On the Ground 2011  concludes that the principal drivers for PEFC’s current weaknesses include weak 

standards, weak governance, poor or non-existent stakeholder consultation, a lack of transparency, an 

inadequate dispute resolution system and audit practices that cannot meet the expectations of a system for ensuring practices on the ground meet even the current weak standards. 

The report acknowledges recent changes to PEFC standards but highlights where change is still needed. It challenges PEFC to ensure that there is real improvement made on the ground. 

The coalition of NGOs who researched On the Ground  included Climate for Ideas (United Kingdom), Forests of the World (Denmark), Dogwood Alliance (United States), Hnutí DUHA (Friends of the Earth Czech Republic), Greenpeace, Sierra Club of British Columbia, and Finnish Association for Nature Conservation.