Phil Riebel, a sustainability advisor to the forest, paper and print sector, recently posted a couple of informative blogs on RISI questioning whether environmental activists are misleading their funders and consumers when it comes to certification and recycling.

Phil talks about the downsides of well-funded campaigns that skim the surface of complex issues, and lead consumers to believe that something as simple as using paper that’s recycled or certified to the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) automatically yields environmental benefits.

In his second blog – Are environmental campaigns misleading the public? Part II – Phil challenges claims that certain certification standards, such as FSC, are more protective of the environment at a global scale. Phil says a 2005 international study (the World Wildlife Fund was one of the study partners) looked at on-the-ground differences between certification schemes in Canada, Finland and the UK, and did not identify any as “destructive and inferior” nor did it identify any as “much better” as campaigners would have us believe.

He says competition has been healthy and improved all certification programs, and this in turn supports responsible forest management as well as price and supply stability. It encourages more certification and is more likely to benefit communities in countries where campaigners and most of their supporters live.

Committing to one scheme could reduce purchasing and negotiating options for buyers, and disadvantage local communities in North America. Phil recalls a campaign where a large U.S.-based corporation was pressured to buy recycled and/or FSC paper, and eventually gave its business to a European mill that received FSC-certified wood from the UK.

Phil’s call to action is simple: Consider the many elements involved in the design and production of sustainable paper to ensure long-term sustainability of business and measurable environmental improvements based on science. “Pressuring the marketplace to use certain fiber types when it doesn’t make sense may not benefit the environment or the economy,” he says. I absolutely agree.

Only 10 percent of the world’s forests are certified so the growing convergence among certification programs is good news for responsible consumers. A recent UN market review says: “Over the years, many of the issues that previously divided the (certification) systems have become much less distinct.”

TerraChoice’s 2010 Sins of Greenwashing report includes certification labels like SFI, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification on a limited list of “legitimate” environmental standards and certifications. It is just one of many respected organizations around the world that accept SFI as a legitimate certification standard.

This reality stands in sharp contrast to misinformation being disseminated by market campaigners. Their tactics mislead and confuse consumers, and do nothing to improve forest management. While SFI and FSC differ in approach and the level of depth assigned to different topics, one thing is for certain: both standards have led to improvements in forestry and conservation.

At SFI, we understand forest management demands a multi-faceted, science-based, and inclusive effort involving people from all walks of life. We have a forest standard with rigorous requirements, and we make sure program participants meet them. But we go a lot further – looking for ways to help our partners improve knowledge and practices related to forest management and procurement, and strengthen communities and build partnerships that support responsible forest management. This is the most honest approach, and it is the best way to benefit the environment AND our communities.  After all, isn’t that the point?

Nadine Block, Senior Director of Government Outreach, discusses SFI’s role in GOVgreen, a conference held in Washington, DC November 9-10.

Earlier this week I was at the first annual GOVgreen conference and had the privilege of speaking with professionals working in various parts of the government, many who have jobs relating to implementing President Obama’s Executive Order on Federal Leadership in Environmental Energy and Economic Performance. These professionals are looking for solutions that not only comply with the order and help them achieve their sustainability goals, but are a good fit for their department’s specific purchasing, building, and policy needs.

Efficient procurement decisions are as simple as purchasing SFI-labeled cups like the ones used by conference participants, including by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. during his keynote address at GOVgreen. This provides an excellent example of consumer products that are sourced responsibly and demonstrates how simple purchasing decisions can make a difference. Our presence at the conference included sponsoring water stations, where SFI-labeled ecotainers were used, and staffing an exhibit where we interacted with dozens of conference participants. Additionally, I participated in a panel discussion about “Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Programs,” along with Christine Chase, Certification Manager at Green Seal and Graziella Siciliano, Senior Program Associate at the Alliance to Save Energy. These forums gave me an opportunity to show how forest certification works with recycling for well-rounded procurement policies. I was also able to demonstrate how SFI certification supports North American jobs and communities and how using forest products from responsibly managed forests helps keeps forests as forests. When organizations demand responsible wood and paper products, they are giving our domestic forest landowners markets for their products and incentives to continue to responsibly manage their forests. Forest certification like SFI is a necessary proof point of responsible behavior.

Thanks to all who were able to stop by the SFI booth or my presentations during the show, and we look forward to working with government organizations in finding preferred options and practices around using forest certified products.

Nadine Block, SFI Senior Director of Government Outreach, talks about upcoming activities planned for GRAPH EXPO 2010 in Chicago.

We’re just two days away from GRAPH EXPO, and we couldn’t be more energized about the events we have planned at the show! To start things off, I will be giving introductory remarks at the luncheon on Sunday, October 3. Government Printing Office Public Printer Bob Tapella and Senior Vice President of Strategy and Transition for the U.S. Postal Service Linda Kingsley will be keynoting the luncheon.

Both the GPO and USPS are concerned with several aspects in regards to sustainability. At SFI, we support stances like these. We think it’s important to start with paper and forest products that are sourced wisely. Efforts such as recycling, among others, work with forest certification to promote responsibility throughout the lifecycle of a product. I was lucky enough to sit down with Bob and Linda to get a preview of their speeches relating to the changing role of print and mail in the digital age, as well as thoughts on sustainability. Take a look at some of their thoughts in these videos:

How the GPO is Becoming a Model for the Print Industry’s Digital Future

Print, Mail and the Postal Service: A Sustainable Platform for Partnerships and Growth

Adding to SFI’s activities at GRAPH EXPO, Jason Metnick, Senior Director, Market Access & Product Labeling will be giving two presentations, which will help print professionals learn more about the SFI program. If you’ll be in Chicago at GRAPH EXPO, we’d love for you to attend! As an added bonus, we’ll be giving away a $100 Visa gift card on-site at each presentation.

• October 4, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m., Room S403ab “Chain of Custody Certification: Good for Your Business and Good for Our Forests” — Learn how SFI Chain of Custody certification can help printers meet and even generate client demand for responsibly-sourced paper options. We’ll explore how to get certified as well as market trends in certification, including the increasing popularity of multiple certification to FSC, PEFC and SFI chain of custody standards.
• October 5, 2 -2:30 p.m., GREENspace Theater - “Power of Partnerships” — Collaboration and label use among a variety of sectors has ability to affect change and promote responsible forestry. Learn how forest certification label use can drive corporate responsibility, consumer awareness and above all, benefit forests.

We’ll be at Booth #3337 in GREENspace—remember to get your badge scanned for a chance to win an iPad! If you’re not able to be in Chicago, follow the action on Twitter.

It’s fitting that the themes for our 15th Annual Conference, is Power of Partnerships.  The world of responsible forestry and certification is so immense there is not a lot one organization can do on its own. The conference is set to explore the many ways collaboration leads to improved forest management, education & outreach efforts and implementation of the SFI Standard.

If you take a look at our conference agenda you will see we have lined up local and international speakers who will talk about partnerships yielding benefits for the forest products marketplace, communities, First Nations, and government agencies throughout North America and globally. Keynote speaker Linda Coady, Distinguished Fellow, University of British Columbia and Vice-President of Sustainability, Vancouver Olympics Organizing Committee will talk about Certification, Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability – The Next Generation.  We’ll also be making some exciting announcements.

We will be posting video from conference speakers as well as pictures from the event on our Annual Conference webpage – so check it out if you are not able to join us in Vancouver and take part virtually.

Jason Metnick, SFI Senior Director of Market Access and Product Labeling, gives an overview of the upcoming Graph Expo Virtual Preview.

SFI is excited to take part in GRAPH EXPO 2010, a show for printers, publishers and creative services professionals. The physical show takes place in Chicago in early October, but a virtual sneak preview is scheduled for this Thursday, August 19! This free online event gives attendees a chance to chat live online with SFI staff and learn the SFI program, explore trends in forest certification, chain-of custody certification and on-product labeling. We encourage you to register to attend.

Professionals in printing and publishing fields have a great opportunity to help generate change. Using SFI-certified and labeled products increases awareness of the importance of forest certification and demonstrates a commitment to responsible forestry.

Follow our latest news about upcoming Graph Expo events on the Good for Forests blog and on Twitter by following @sfiprogram. If you’ll be in Chicago from October 3-6 and would like a free exhibits-only pass to Graph Expo, register here.