Newsletter Stories


Tuesday, 17 January 2023
FSC News Roundup: Biodiversity COP, Macy’s, a Distillery and USAID


During the COP 15 in Montreal, Canada in December 2022, FSC announced the launch of an initiative to fast-track Biodiversity Assessments in FSC-certified forests, taking a further step in demonstrating the value of forest biodiversity and contributing to the delivery of the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. Partners include IKEA, Tetra Pak, Procter & Gamble, and WWF International.

Last fall, Macy’s released its first-ever wood sourcing policy in its 150-year history, expressing a preference for FSC-certified products. The policy is part of the company’s $5 billion commitment “to create a more equitable and sustainable future.” The company doubled its score in the 2022 Wood Furniture Scorecard from the Sustainable Furnishings Council and National Wildlife Federation.

Aspen Distillers is developing a new distillery, which is pursuing the Materials Petal of the Living Building Challenge. As part of this project, the company is relying on FSC-certified Shou Sugi Ban, an ancient Japanese architectural technique to preserve wood by charring the surface.

The US Agency for International Development (USAID) is partnering with FSC and the FSC Indigenous Foundation to implement a 5-year, $20 million program called the Indigenous Peoples’ Alliance for Rights and Development. The goal is to amplify the voices of Indigenous leaders and to provide capacity and funding for Indigenous Peoples to determine their own development needs.