Dear FSC Members, Certificate Holders, and Promotional Licence Holders,
As the year draws to a close, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude for your support and partnership throughout 2023. The incredible momentum we've witnessed this year is a direct result of your continued collaboration and engagement in our mission.
In 2023, our Promotional Licence Holder program has thrived amid growing consumer trust in FSC-certified products globally. The FSC label, recognised by 4 in 5 consumers across 33 countries, holds a remarkable 77% global trust in protecting forests, surpassing governments, and businesses. Notably, it stands out among 18- to 24-year-olds. In Australia, nearly half of consumers understand the FSC label, with 78% trusting brands promoting FSC. This consumer confidence aligns with the program's success, marked by a pivotal inaugural PLH forum with 30 individuals from 10 organisations collaborating for program enhancement. The program, supported by retailers in Australia and New Zealand, currently boasts 31 PLHs in Australia and 10 in New Zealand and anticipates even greater success in 2024
The impact of our FSC Forest Week campaign soared to new heights this year, uniting 51 organisations to celebrate their dedication to FSC and its crucial role in addressing biodiversity and climate crises. As part of the festivities, our forest walk event, hosted by certified forest manager HVP Plantations, drew certificate holders and promotional licence holders from Step One, Coles Group, Officeworks, Kmart, Visy, Winc and more. This event offered a unique opportunity to gain insights into responsible forest management directly from the forest floor.
2023 marked a significant milestone for FSC in New Zealand with the publication of the FSC Forest Stewardship Standard for New Zealand in January. This publication is a crucial advancement in FSC's ongoing efforts to elevate forestry practices, ensuring that our standards are not only relevant but also capable of addressing the evolving challenges in the industry. The Standard is currently in a transitional phase until April 2024, after which all certificate holders in New Zealand must undergo evaluation based on this enhanced Standard. Concurrently, FSC ANZ is actively searching for a new team member for a position based in New Zealand, with the goal of appointing someone by early 2024.
Within the policy landscape, the year 2023 has been a period of strategic groundwork, setting the stage for a promising 2024. As we gear up for the new year, be on the lookout for a series of exciting announcements. Stay connected for the latest updates as we move forward into the next phase of our initiatives.
Your collective efforts have made 2023 a year of significant progress and achievement. We look forward to continuing this journey with you in the coming year, furthering our shared commitment to sustainable forestry. The FSC ANZ office will be closed from December 23rd – January 2nd, for any urgent matters during this time please contact info@au.fsc.org.
Wishing you a joyous holiday season and a prosperous New Year.
Warm regards,
FSC ANZ Team