Soil Association Certification Forestry

Last week, our trainer in China, Canna Lee, delivered a fantastic Forest Stewardship Council Chain of Custody course and ISO 19011 training in Shenzhen, China. The session brought together individuals passionate about sustainable forestry, eager to expand their knowledge of sustainable practices and auditing standards. Seeing such enthusiasm in Shenzhen highlights the global importance of sustainable forestry and the growing demand for training in these critical areas. Are you looking to upskill or take the next step in your forestry career? Join our upcoming courses in the UK: FSC Forest Management Training 📅 24th–28th February 📍 Watershed, Bristol, UK ISO 19011 Training 📅 4th–5th March 🌐 Remote (must be taken alongside FSC COC or FM courses) Find out more and book your place here: https://lnkd.in/ekTyEgeW.

UK peatlands are in urgent need of restoration to meet emissions targets and combat climate change, with over 80% of the UK’s peatlands in poor condition. Achieving the ambitious goal of restoring 20,000km² by 2040 will require scaled-up efforts, innovative funding solutions, and stronger legislation. We’re proud to be a leading validation and verification body for the Peatland Code, which is scaling up finance to restore UK peatlands. Read more about this here: https://lnkd.in/erhdBbGi

We are excited to have led the development process of the Interim Forest Stewardship Standard (IFSS), recently launched by the Forest Stewardship Council. This milestone promotes and strengthens Ethiopia’s forestry sector. By opening opportunities in global niche markets for certified forest products, the IFSS enhances the value of verified ecosystem services, such as carbon storage, water resources, biodiversity, recreation, and culture. Ethiopia’s forests, including its unique bamboo resources, hold immense potential to drive green economic growth and create meaningful opportunities for youth and women. Together, we are paving the way for a sustainable future while upholding ethical business practices. Read more about this incredible milestone here: https://lnkd.in/ejGCcZnG

Our Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC) training sessions in Kenya were a great success, strengthening auditor expertise and supporting sustainable forestry in Africa. Led by Severinus Jembe and Marie-Christine Flechard, and supported by FSC Africa, these sessions provided valuable insights into FSC standards and certification processes. The FM training brought together 20 participants from across Africa, fostering collaboration and a deeper understanding of Forest Management standards and certification complexities. In the CoC training, 10 participants engaged in a session on ILO Core Requirements, led by Paul Stephen Opanga, FSC’s Labour Issues Manager, who noted, “I liked the engagement in the room and the ground perspective from the discussions.” Looking ahead, our upcoming training opportunities include: FSC Forest Management Training 📅 24th–28th February 📍 Watershed, Bristol, UK ISO 19011 Training 📅 4th–5th March 2025 📍 Held remotely (via MS Teams) – to be attended in conjunction with the in-person FSC CoC or FM courses. Make sure to book your place and check out other upcoming training opportunities at: https://lnkd.in/evxAufME

Meeting the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) requirements is not only a legal requirement for EU companies, but a critical step for businesses committed to sustainable and responsible sourcing. A new blog published by Interu, based on Maggie FitzHerbert’s talk at a recent Interu webinar "How to Engage Your Suppliers on EUDR", provides actionable strategies to simplify the process and strengthen your supply chain. Key insights include: ▪️How to kick-start supplier engagement with clarity and confidence. ▪️Effective data collection methods to streamline compliance. ▪️Overcoming common barriers while building stronger supplier relationships. 💡 Discover how to prepare your suppliers, implement efficient compliance strategies, and build a transparent, deforestation-free supply chain. 📖 Read the blog for actionable guidance: https://lnkd.in/eZTcfWwj #EUDR #SupplyChain #Compliance #Sustainability #ResponsibleSourcing #DeforestationFree

Senior Responsible Sourcing Manager Maggie FitzHerbert unpacks the latest developments in EUDR from the vote in Brussels two weeks ago, including the 12-month delay and introduction of a controversial “zero risk” category, and what these amendments could mean for businesses. Read Maggie’s expert analysis here: 👉https://lnkd.in/ecK-E3rj #EUDR #DeforestationFree #Sustainability #ResponsibleSourcing

Thank you to the brilliant group of volunteers from the Soil Association Certification Forestry who joined us for a day at one of our current peatland restoration sites on Exmoor. It was lovely to show them the machinery and contractors at work, chat about all things peat vs soils, and have their help in moving peat-forming sphagnum mosses from well established areas to new ponds, and digging and filling boundaries to manage pools. #peatlandrestoration #peatbog #landscapescalechange #Exmoor

What a fortnight that was! I've had the importance of getting out in the field really rammed home. Whether the field is #naturefinance24 in London, where I had the pleasure of discussing #BSI Nature Investment Standards and the importance of TRUST with Kerry ten Kate Susan Twining Ian Dickie and George Sethia. Or a 36 hour intensive Round Table with actors from across the sector on 'Building Confidence in Nature Finance'. A real deep dive this one, and the value of face to face working really stood out. Shout out to team Stirling 24! George Hepburne Scott Freddie Ingleby Jo Freeman-Young Dr Ida Bailey John Goffin Ruchir Shah Amanda Bryan MICFor Christoph Harwood Anna Lehmann Bruce Howard Dan Bass Matthew Hannon Rachel Nixseaman Renée Kerkvliet-Hermans Mark Caulfield Annabel Davidson Knight Becky Plunkett Clare Cooper Emily Johns Kate Anstruther Katie Medcalf Leah Reinfranck Louise Bond Morag Watson Osbert Lancaster Then I was out on the hills, as Soil Association Certification Forestry colleagues Jon Watts Anne Mari Cobb alex hart and Eamonn Flood delivered 4 pilot assessments and standard tests for two #FIRNS projects focussed on biodiversity and community. Thanks to Ed Heather-Hayes Kate Anstruther Julia Priestly on the Dreel Burn and Jamie Adcock at Dumyat. And final thanks to Stuart Burbidge hosting us for a pilot at Fordie estate and as a client for our Peatland Code field visit in Glen Coe, which we squeezed in the middle of it all. Open and frank discussions across the whole time has accelerated our thinking and will help us deliver the best assurance we can for the sector. Get out there and engage! We need all the help we can get, after all we are building the plane whilst flying the plane!

At Soil Association Certification, we're proud to support the Iwokrama International Centre in Guyana, which manages one of the world's last pristine rainforests-an area roughly the size of Cornwall. Through our partnership, Iwokrama became the first forest in Guyana to earn Forest Stewardship Council®(FSC) certification, setting a high standard for responsible forestry across the region. Why Iwokrama Stands Out: • Sustainable Forestry: Using reduced-impact logging techniques, Iwokrama minimizes forest disturbance, removing fewer than 10 trees per hectare and ensuring natural regeneration. The forest is home to valuable species like greenheart and purpleheart, and Forest Stewardship Council certification has opened doors to export markets in Europe and the US. • Biodiversity Hotspot: Iwokrama is a haven for rare species, including jaguars, harpy eagles, and giant river turtles, preserving 70% of its area from industrial activities. • Community-Driven Management: Sixteen local communities co-manage Iwokrama, sharing in its sustainable timber, tourism, and research benefits. This model of conservation combines ecological, economic, and social impact, ensuring long-term success. We're inspired by Iwokrama's approach to balancing conservation with sustainable use and community empowerment. Learn more about this exceptional work and our role in promoting responsible forestry worldwide: https://lnkd.in/eamWM65f #SustainableForestry #Biodiversity #CommunityConservation

Two weeks ago, Andy Grundy MICFor, Head of Climate and Landscape, and Maggie FitzHerbert, Senior Responsible Resourcing Manager, represented Soil Association Certification at the Innovation Forum’s Sustainable Commodities and Land Use Forum in Amsterdam. Over two days, they joined industry leaders in tackling complex challenges around corporate nature targets, regenerative agriculture, sustainability reporting, EUDR implementation, smallholder inclusivity, and biodiversity financing. With fresh insights in hand, they are back and ready to channel these ideas into meaningful impact across our initiatives. A standout moment was Andy's moderation of the session “Soil Health and Land Degradation: Effective Solutions for Scope 3 Success.” The panel highlighted an innovative regenerative agriculture partnership between Unilever and Livelihoods, sparking lively discussions around biochar, climate-resilient farming, and the crucial links between soil health, sustainable land use, and responsible sourcing. Huge thanks to Innovation Forum and all participants for fostering such an inspiring space for ideas and solutions. We’re excited to integrate these valuable perspectives into our work and drive further collaboration! #SustainableAgriculture #SoilHealth #ResponsibleSourcing #Sustainability #RegenerativeAgriculture #InnovationForum