Differential treatment of boreal forest biome by forest stewardship council

Abstract

This thesis examines the conduct of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) regarding the certification stringency in the boreal biome. Certification is less stringent in Russia as compared to other boreal nations; Canada, Sweden, Norway and Finland. Further, it will elaborate on Motion 65 by FSC on how it relates to the main topic. According to recent studies, FSC certification auditing is less thorough in Russia as compared to Canada and Nordic Countries. In Canada and Nordic countries, FSC is a very stringent and scrupulous body, making certificate holders work hard to keep their status. In 2014, FSC has released its Motion 65 to protect Intact Forest Landscapes, and a set of recommendations followed in late 2016. If approved, Motion 65 would unequally affect Canada and Nordic Countries as compared to Russia. Forest Code of the Russian Federation does not recognize IFLs, which are key principle of Motion 65. This thesis concluded that part of the problem is that while forestry regulations of Canada and Nordic countries are in tandem with FSC guidelines, Russia’s laws conflict with them. Another part of the issue is lack of equity distribution in Russia as compared to Canada and Nordic Countries. The thesis suggests that FSC needs to develop a strategy specifically tailored to Russia, in order to achieve levels of compliance and socioeconomic equity similar to Canada and Nordic Countries.