FSC is committed to continue working in Ukraine despite martial law and challenges caused by the aggression of Russia. The mission to promote responsible forest management is alive thanks to deep commitment of certificate holders and FSC members from Ukraine towards FSC values.
"To witness the commitment from our first-hand certificate holders was truly encouraging" van Santen remarked.
The Head of Lviv of Forestry and Hunting Regional Agency, Anatoliy Deyneka, noted "The posters with FSC sign in Lviv state forests demonstrate our hard work towards close-to-nature forestry and awareness of the values of responsible forest managament".
Kronospan’s General Manager, Natalia Pokinska, said: "We’re seeing ourselves as a backbone to the furniture industry in Ukraine. We are between the forests on the one hand and the fast-developing furniture and construction sector on the other. True to FSC's spirit we bring forests and furniture/construction sector together through a sustainable value chain. FSC is critical to the Ukraine. Without FSC, the sector would grind to a halt".
Meetings with civil society leaders in Lviv and Kyiv were also deeply inspiring. These were high-level talks with top non-governmental organizations representing a wide range of interests in forests and forestry, namely: Ecosphere, Danube-Carpathian Program, Forest Initiatives and Society, Green Cross, Society of Foresters of Ukraine, Forestry Academy of Ukraine, WWF Ukraine, and Living Planet.
Active discussions with such a variety of stakeholders around at times contentious and complex topics show what value and impact FSC has on the ground, and what difference we have been making in Ukraine for over 20 years. It was a major reason to visit Ukraine to demonstrate FSC’s commitment to the Government, NGOs and responsible businesses in the Ukraine.
Topics included both short term issues on how to minimize the risk created by the conflict, as well as long term strategic concerns how we could work in partnership with key stakeholders to uphold the values FSC stands for as the leading voluntary sustainable forest management scheme.
Finding good ways to leverage our common interest was a key recurring theme throughout the dialogues. Pavlo Kravets, Director of FSC Ukraine, emphasized that "challenges facing civil society develop more rapidly than the ability to solve them". He asked the participants: "What should be the point of consolidation of our efforts and a common vision of the expected results? Around what are we ready to unite our efforts and look for ways to solve the complex issues of forestry?”
Considering the increased risks of non-conformance with the FSC requirements, FSC of Ukraine has also taken other proactive actions going beyond its certified areas – such as those outlined in the article ‘10 steps to reduce illegal logging in Ukraine’. In parallel, FSC is promoting responsible businesses that comply with the strict FSC standards as a way to mitigate the economic crisis caused by the war, as shown in the appeal of women entrepreneurs for the development of trade with the EU market.
"FSC Ukraine will continue to tackle challenges in the forest sector, both through dialogue and through action. That includes assuring the integrity of our brand remains undisputable and encouraging training to assure deep understanding of more complicated areas required under FSC such as High Conservation Value" van Santen highlighted.
FSC supports the efforts of Ukraine towards EU integration in the context of the EU Green Deal. The large-scale recovery plan for Ukraine, based on Lugano Principles, is in line with FSC Principles and Criteria, in particular for its sustainability ambition. Achieving circular economy goals involves using renewable and recycled materials in order to eliminate carbon emissions and create a sustainable future. FSC considers ensuring responsible forest management in a war-affected country a priority.
The president of the NGO "Living Planet", Svitlana Berzina, emphasized: "FSC has an important role to play in changing procurement policies under the transition to responsible consumption. In the reconstruction of Ukraine, we will encourage the increase in use of wood-based products that originate from responsible sources. Therefore, FSC will support Ukraine in transitioning towards a green economy, ensuring the protection of forests and preventing deforestation".