benefits of forest certification
Financial Benefits
Price premiums for wood products originating from certified forests have long been a goal of forest certification. Yet such market differentiation has not yet produced price premiums on a large scale. Conventional thinking is that certified wood will receive the going market price, while wood that is not certified will receive a lower docked price. Heightened public awareness and/or growing demand for certified wood products, particularly if environmentally friendly green building initiatives increase, may affect long-term pricing for certified wood. Financial benefits, many superficial at present, can include:
1. Potential price premium;
2. Access to certified wood markets;
3. Access to developing ecosystem markets, such as carbon sequestration credits;
4. Interaction with professional foresters who can offer forest management recommendations;
5. Conserving or saving costs of forest ownership due to the lessening of burdensome regulation.
Environmental Benefits
The environmental benefits of forest certification can be more apparent than the financial benefits. Some research has shown that the environmental benefits of certification rank higher as reasons for certifying than the financial benefits. For instance, Alabama landowners claim improved wildlife habitat, enhanced timber productivity, and protection of the environment are the three most reasons for certifying their land. This was confirmed of Tennessee landowners, when they claimed having a healthier forest and improved wildlife habitat as the top reasons. Environmental benefits can include:
1. Improved forest management practices;
2. Improved wildlife habitat;
3. More healthy forests;
4. Protection of soil and water resources.
Social Benefits
Forest certification offers a number of benefits to the greater society in addition to those given above. Some of these benefits include: protection of cultural assets, protection of livelihood and the opportunity to demonstrate third-party verified sustainable forest management.