Forest Certification in Estonia

This case study provides an overview of the process and effects of forest certification in Estonia. The discussion regarding forest certification was initiated in Estonia in the mid-1990s as environmental NGOs started to highlight the potential benefits of certification. The issue was discussed further in the working groups of the National Forest Development Program, bringing it to the attention of a broader range of institutions, officials and stakeholders. Since 1998 the work on forest certification has beenmore organized, due to the official establishment of the NationalWorking Group on Forest Certification. Shortly after the establishment of the Working Group, it was decided that the national principles on sustainable forestry would be developed according to Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) principles and criteria. The main areas of dispute in the Working Group were the requirement for forest management plans, the acceptability of forest drainage systems, and the question of whether chemicals, pesticides and exotic species can be used on forestland. A draft version of the national standard was approved in 2000. Since then, the National Working Group has also served as the official Estonian FSC Working Group. A major breakthrough was the certification of all state-owned forests in 2002, covering roughly one million ha, 20 percent of Estonia’s total area and 40 percent of its forested land. Certification of state-owned forests has been an important factor contributing to gradual changes in Estonian forestry practices. Various interviewed stakeholders assert that its main effects have been the increased participation of stakeholders, increased social security and safety of forest workers, and forest management that is “closer to nature.” Certification of such a significant forest area has also enabled chain-of-custody certification to begin. forest certification in estonia yale school of forestry & environmental studies 173