Launch of the International Sustainable Forestry Coalition (ISFC)

Ten leading forestry companies, managing almost 9 million hectares (22 million acres) of forests in 27 countries worth tens of billions of dollars, unite to help solve some of the world’s largest environmental challenges. 

LONDON, September 7, 2023 /3BL/ - Prompted by the urgent call to action on climate change, biodiversity loss, reducing emissions by halting and reversing deforestation, some of the world’s largest forestry companies are today launching a new initiative.

The group, known as the International Sustainable Forestry Coalition (ISFC), includes founding members Dasos Capital, F&W Forestry, Gresham House, Marubeni, Mitsui & Co., Ltd (Mitsui), New Forests, Oji Holdings Corporation, Rayonier, Stora Enso and UPM.

Collectively these companies manage almost 9 million hectares of forests in 27 countries being Australia, New Zealand, USA, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Ireland, UK, Finland, Sweden, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, France, Poland, Spain, Portugal, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Uganda, Tanzania and Mozambique. 

Executive Director of the ISFC Ross Hampton said, “ISFC’s mission is to advocate for increasing the global provision of renewable materials in the context of a circular bioeconomy; supporting growth that is compatible with climate and nature recovery imperatives; embedding science-based principles in policy and incentives; and increasing benefits to rural and Indigenous Peoples."

“The ISFC is committed to help solve the challenges laid out in the Glasgow Leaders Declaration on Forests and Land Use, being progressed by the Forests and Climate Leaders Partnership (FCLP). The private forestry sector is a vital partner to mobilize capital at the scale required to deliver on these ambitions and the applicable United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.”

Convening Chair of the ISFC, and Chair of nature-based real assets manager, New Forests, Dr. David Brand said, “For the forestry sector to play a greater role in the overarching sustainability transition it needs to engage more directly with the Climate Change and Biodiversity COPs, with initiatives such as the Forests and Climate Leaders Partnership and with other policy processes related to the conservation and sustainable management of forests.

“There is an expectation that the forestry sector needs to grow and contribute to a transition to greater use of sustainable, renewable, naturally decomposable materials in society; to a sustainable built environment; and to thriving rural communities. This will require expanded investment, but also an approach that creates and perpetuates landscapes which effectively balance conservation and production functions.”

The ISFC will undertake activities during New York Climate Week and at COP28 in Dubai.

Mark McHugh, President, Rayonier said, “Sustainably managed working forests will play a vital role in supporting the transition to a circular bioeconomy. At Rayonier, we are committed to realizing the full potential of our forests in meeting the needs of society, and we are pleased to join the International Sustainable Forestry Coalition with a view towards achieving this vision.”

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Notes to Editors: 
The ISFC Position Paper can be downloaded here.

For more information about ISFC please visit www.isfc.world.

Dr. David Brand and several other senior members of the ISFC companies will be present in New York during Climate Week (17-24 September) and available for media interviews.

Contact: Ross Hampton, ISFC Executive Director 
rhampton@isfc.world 
+44 7930629814