International Wood International Wood 2008 | Page 51

There are industry leaders who “do it right” for their customers
and overseas suppliers every day. These companies have been prac-
titioners of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) long before there
was even an acronym for it. They demonstrate their commitment to
customers by trading in quality, safe, environmentally responsible
products and, in doing so, sustain the communities from which they
source wood.
“Doing it Right” from the Start
Industry leaders came together in 1956 to form the International
Wood Products Association (IWPA). For more than fifty years, IWPA
members have continued to lead by example showing that actions are,
in fact, louder than words. They have voluntarily contributed to and
supported a whole host of social and environmental programs. Their
businesses have generated positive financial returns to the entire
supply chain and for the communities in the developing countries
where they operate.
It stands to reason that a business based on a natural resource
would do everything it could to ensure that the resource thrives.
From the forest communities in developing countries to U.S.-based
consumers, trade in wood products is a catalyst for economic em-
powerment.
Why Imported Wood?
Because trade increases standards of living, here and abroad, and
keeps the forests forested – an environmental and social win-win!
Forest sustainability is compatible with international trade in
timber. Global trading in wood products creates economic incen-
tives, encourages communities to sustainably manage their forests
and leads to their long-term conservation by preventing them from
being converted into farms and ranches.
Dr. Thomas Lovejoy, former counselor for biodiversity and eco-
nomic affairs at the Smithsonian Institution stated, “The key com-
ponent in preserving and maintaining the tropical forests is to ensure
these resources maintain their economic value.”
The World Conservation Union, United Nations Environment
Program, and the World Wildlife Fund went even further when they
stated, “An important part of the strategy to conserve tropical forests
is to increase the economic benefit for forest nations and commu-
nities from using forests rather than converting them to farmland.
We, therefore, need a strong sustainable tropical timber industry.”
Trade does not solve all problems. Developing countries also need
international aid and assistance with sustainable development. U.S.
agencies and international organizations work closely with IWPA
members to ensure that products are sourced in a legal and sus-
tainable manner.
“Doing it Right” On-the-Ground
Most recently, IWPA was part of a broad coalition supporting new
legislation to prevent illegally logged material from entering the
United States. While studies show very little suspicious material was
previously entering the U.S., customers can now have greater confi-
dence in their suppliers and the material they purchase.
IWPA members also promote selective harvesting of trees using
the techniques established by the Tropical Forest Foundation to
protect forest canopy, seed trees and water sources which provides
Photo courtesy of the Forestry Training Center in Guyana, SA – a
partnership between the Tropical Forest Foundation, the Guyana Forestry
Commission and the Forest Products Association of guyana.
for conservation and utilization of forest resources. In fact, IWPA
members played a major role in founding this organization in 1990
and remain active contributors and volunteer leaders.
The Lesser Known Species (LKS) project is another on-the-
ground initiative of IWPA. The idea to develop a LKS resource col-
lection began at the urging of participants of an IWPA workshop who
felt they could better manage their forests if they had a wider range of
species to market from their countries.
IWPA members work with their suppliers, customers and tech-
nical advisors to match lesser-known species for appropriate applica-
tions such as decking, flooring, veneer, mouldings and millwork. The
initial list can be viewed from the “Industry News & Resource” link
at www.iwpawood.org. Using LKS helps promote sustainable forest
management in developing countries and helps these countries keep
forests managed as forests, not destroyed and converted to farms and
ranches.
“Doing it Right,” Giving Back
Members act on their own to give back to the communities where
they work. Below are just a few examples of many members who give
back to their forest communities:
BR-111 Exotic Hardwood Flooring advertises its beautiful flooring
in glossy fashion magazines. What they don’t advertise is their com-
mitment to provide education to children in Brazil. Through the BR-
111 Foundation, funds are allocated to schools which in turn provide
education, social services, healthcare and daily nutritional meals for
under-privileged children from areas surrounding their mills. BR-111
pledges a portion of each and every sale for such projects.
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