By Morten Brodde
Sunday morning’s side meeting on FSC’s new approaches towards conversion and remedy kicked off with an introduction to FSC’s Remedy Framework, the Policy to Address Conversion and the revised Policy for Association. Also known as the remedy package.
What is the Remedy Framework?
The Remedy Framework is FSC’s new approach to tackling conversion and ensuring remedy of past social and environmental harm by companies who want to enter the FSC system.
It merges the provisions of FSC’s Conversion Remedy Procedure and Policy for Association Remediation Framework, while ensuring alignment with other relevant policies and procedures of the FSC certification system, especially FSC’s Policy to Address Conversion and Policy for Association.
The Remedy Framework outlines what it takes for companies to (re)enter the FSC system and be eligible for certification and/or membership after direct or indirect involvement in unacceptable activities and how FSC can assess the eligibility of such companies.
The framework is not finally approved but endorsed by the FSC International Board of Directors. The final Remedy Framework will be presented to the Board Of Director for approval later this year.
Culmination of many years’ efforts
During the meeting Jessica Surma, Policy Manager, and Saija Hotti, Programme Manager, at FSC International revealed that the remedy package is based on a long and comprehensive revision and engagement process with consultation groups, studies, consultations webinars, public consultations, and technical working group meetings. For instance, in the public consultation(s) on the remedy framework 2 060 comments were received and analyzed. The overall process has been initiated by several motions from FSC General Assemblies since 2011.
FSC as restoration forward-thinking organization
In general, the implementation of the Remedy Framework and the Policy to Address Conversion will create opportunities to bring converted land under responsible forest management practices and position FSC at the forefront of encouraging access to non-judicial remedy.
Why is this important for FSC right now? Jessica Surma reminded the attendees that it is currently the UN decade of restoration:
“This package will allow FSC to participate in that effort encouraging much higher restoration effort than currently underway. It is also a timely thing to do now because requirements continue to tighten and if this framework becomes effective it puts FSC more as a forward-thinking organization instead of being in a reactive position.”
Important changes in Policy for Association
The Policy for Association which is a part of the remedy package has been revised and Saija Hotti gave a quick overview of the main changes and their effects on the FSC system:
“The new version aligns the scope of unacceptable activities. Previously they were mostly focusing on forestry operations, but now we have also included forest products into the unacceptable activities. That will increase the number of activities that are covered by the Policy for Association.”
Another big change is about entry to the FSC system. So far, the Policy for Association has been enforced reactively when something has happened. Now FSC has introduced disclosure requirements at the entry to FSC system before association with a company meaning that important information will be screened before the association is granted. This will allow FSC to detect possible issues much earlier than before. The new Policy for Association also covers additional types of organizational setups and not just entities that are within the same majority structure.
What are the positions on the new Remedy Framework?
The meeting concluded with a panel discussion where diverse perspectives were shared about the Remedy Framework. The inputs ranged from organizations who want to (re)join the FSC system, communities who need access to remedy, to members who call for improvements in the framework before implementation.
Motion 45 calls for improvements
Motion 45 of this year’s General Assembly seeks to improve the Remedy Framework. According to the proposer of the motion, individual member Dirk Riestenpatt: “There remains the need for further enhancements and improvements to ensure the “Conversion and Remedy Package” is a robust, transparent, and credible set of policies, procedures, and internal systems that can be implemented in a manner that safeguards the reputation of the FSC”.
Panelist, Sean Cadman, environmental chamber member, trusts that FSC will be able to make the necessary improvements that are needed in the Remedy Framework:
“Is this perfect? Absolutely not. We saw significant things to be fixed in the Remedy Framework. Motion 45 also seeks to address those issues. I believe enough in the system and the integrity within the system, that those issues will be resolved. Also because of the investment that has been made in the process.”
Goodbye to 1994?
Motion 37/2021 which is set to be discussed at this year’s General Assembly, presents key changes to FSC’s Principles & Criteria for Forest Stewardship to reflect the newly approved Policy to Address Conversion.
One of the proposed changes in motion 37 is a new cut-off date of 31 December 2020 in accordance with the new Policy to Address Conversion which potentially could enable millions of hectares of restored forestland to be FSC certified following demonstration of remedy for past conversion. If motion 37 does not pass, the conversion policy and the parts of the Remedy Framework setting requirements for remedy will not be effective. Therefore, management units converted by an organization from 1994-2020 will remain ineligible for certification.
The final decision on motion 37 and 45 is in the hands of FSC members in the coming days.
Want to know more?
All updates regarding the FSC Remedy Framework will be shared here.
More information about FSC’s Remedy Framework can be found here.
You can also find a short introduction to the framework in FSC International YouTube channel here.