Conceptual consultation launch on Ecosystem Services Procedure (second phase revision)

FSC has launched a sixty-day public consultation as part of the conceptual phase to implement Motion 49/2021, “FSC Ecosystem Service Procedure as a mitigation mechanism to meet global market demand for net-zero and net-positive targets”, and Motion 53/2021, “Policy Motion to incorporate to ecosystem services the recognition of cultural services and practices to strengthen and endure over time the interconnection of Indigenous Peoples”. The consultation is open from 16 December 2024 to 14 February 2025.  

What are ecosystem services?

Ecosystem services are the essential benefits that forests provide to people and the environment, such as carbon sequestration, water filtration, and biodiversity conservation. In FSC certified forests, valuable ecosystem services are protected – and in 2018, FSC introduced a procedure to demonstrate and communicate about the positive impact of responsible forest management on ecosystem services. These verified positive impacts aim to facilitate payments for ecosystem services and provide access to other benefits, thereby adding business value for those who responsibly manage forests and those who take action to preserve forest ecosystem services. More here.

Key aspects of the consultation

The feedback on the proposals or options for implementation of Motion 49/2021 will help FSC determine the best approach to including topics such as offsetting (carbon, biodiversity, and water) and biodiversity credits within the Ecosystem Services Procedure or as separate normative documents or requirements.  The feedback will help in prioritizing various proposals/options for implementing Motion 49/2021 and identifying other important related aspects, such as pursuing criteria, methodologies, associated risks and challenges, and determining how FSC should mitigate them.

The feedback on the implementation proposals for Motion 53/2021 will help FSC consider additional impacts and outcome indicators under Ecosystem Services claim 6 – Cultural Practices and Values in Annex B. It will also guide FSC in assessing the potential inclusion of new features, such as the Ecosystem Services “cultural cross-cutting” impact verification model, the possible creation of a special Ecosystem Services claim to communicate cultural impacts involving Indigenous and Traditional Peoples, and the necessary audit adaptations.

Webinars

FSC will conduct a series of webinars to present the two conceptual reports and discuss key aspects of the consultation. Each webinar will focus on a specific report under consultation, covering topics outlined in the conceptual report.  Please register below for the webinars.

The webinars for the consultation on the conceptual phase report regarding Motion 49/2021: “FSC Ecosystem Service Procedure as a mitigation mechanism to meet global market demand for net-zero and net-positive targets” are as follows:

• Wednesday, 15 January 2025, from 9:00 to 10.30 CET in English only. Register here.
• Wednesday, 15 January 2025, from 15:00 to 16:30 CET with simultaneous translation to French and Spanish. Register here.
• Wednesday, 29 January 2025, from 9:00 to 10.30 CET in English only. Register here.
• Wednesday, 29 January 2025, from 15:00 to 16:30 CET with simultaneous translation to French and Spanish. Register here.

The webinars for the consultation on the conceptual phase report regarding Motion 53/2021: “Incorporate to Ecosystem Services Procedure the Recognition of Cultural Services and Practices” are as follows:

• Thursday, 9 January 2025, from 9:00 to 10.30 CET in English only. Register here.
• Thursday, 9 January 2025, from 15:00 to 16:30 CET with simultaneous translation to French and Spanish. Register here.
• Thursday, 30 January 2025, from 9:00 to 10.30 CET in English only. Register here.
• Thursday, 30 January 2025, from 15:00 to 16:30 CET with simultaneous translation to French and Spanish. Register here.

Participate today

To access the consultations, please visit the Consultation Platform. The consultations are open until 14 February 2025. We are looking forward to your participation!

• Consultation on the conceptual report for phase II of the revision of the Ecosystem Services Procedure (FSC-PRO-30-006): Implementation of Motion 49/2021 “FSC Ecosystem Service Procedure as a mitigation mechanism to meet global market demand for net-zero and net-positive targets”. Here in English, Spanish and French
• Consultation on the conceptual report for phase II of the revision of the Ecosystem Services Procedure (FSC-PRO-30-006): Implementation of Motion 53/2021 Incorporate to Ecosystem Services Procedure the Recognition of Cultural Services and Practices. Here in English, Spanish and French

Find more information on the FSC website.