The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has developed its Climate and Biodiversity Strategic Framework at a critical moment of accelerating climate change and biodiversity loss. Building on three decades of experience promoting responsible forest management, the framework responds to a mandate from FSC’s membership to more clearly articulate and strengthen FSC’s contribution to climate action and biodiversity conservation in a rapidly shifting global context.
The Framework was developed through an inclusive process. It builds on FSC’s mission and Global Strategy and draws on input from members, staff, and other organisations, bringing together perspectives and expertise from different regions and stakeholder groups.
Framework vision
The Strategic Framework provides pathways for FSC to achieve its 2050 vision of resilient forests that sustain life on Earth, by contributing to a world where forests are valued and managed to mitigate and adapt to climate change, while enabling biodiversity and forest-dependent people to thrive.
Strategic priorities
The Framework is structured around three Strategic Priorities, which translate its overall ambition into concrete areas of work and delivery across FSC.
Promote forest management practices that contribute to global climate and biodiversity goals
FSC will strengthen how forest stewardship standards support climate change adaptation and mitigation, biodiversity conservation, and restoration. We will explore the integration of climate risks into risk assessment frameworks; recognise and incorporate Indigenous Peoples’ traditional knowledge; provide capacity-building for forest stewards through training and practical guidance; and enhance the availability of insights on climate and biodiversity outcomes of forest management certification.
Leverage markets and finance to incentivise management practices that contribute to global climate and biodiversity goals
FSC aims to strengthen demand and incentives for responsible forest management and sourcing by increasing buyer awareness of certified products and communicating FSC’s climate and biodiversity value proposition. We will support market access for Indigenous Peoples, traditional peoples, and local communities; expand access to finance by engaging financial institutions; and strengthen data and monitoring through clearer spatial information, reporting, and disclosure-ready evidence.
Advance policies and partnerships to promote forests as climate and biodiversity solutions
FSC will enhance the enabling environment for forests as climate and biodiversity solutions by engaging in relevant policy processes; strengthening collaboration with strategic partners; and increasing recognition of FSC as a credible approach to forest stewardship to support broader adoption and improved alignment with global and national agendas.