COP21 will be one of the most important global events of the decade. Taking place from 30 November to 11 December in Paris, France, it is expected to produce a global agreement on climate change. Many governments still do not sufficiently address the role of forest conservation and management in climate change policy, and the social, economic and environmental challenges involved in sustainable forest management are seldom adequately discussed.
FSC France hopes that, on the eve of COP21, its manifesto will bring together everyone who cares about protecting forests and halting climate change. It also wants to increase the profile of certification so that it becomes a simple reflex that public and private actors and consumers can use to help preserve forests.
As well as being supported by FSC International, endorsement for the manifesto has come from the French offices of organizations such as WWF, Fairtrade International, the Marine Stewardship Council, and the Prince Albert of Monaco Foundation, as well as companies like IKEA, Tetra Pak and L’Oréal. Several French celebrities – including photographer and director Yann Arthus-Bertrand and sailor Isabelle Autissier – are also amongst the signatories.
FSC France has developed a website, FSC COP21 – in English and French – to give more details on its manifesto and to build support. If you want to sign the manifesto, please contact Maya Bentz, FSC France maya.bentz@fsc-france.fr
You can also simply leave a comment to support the action of FSC France through the ‘Support Us’ section of their website.
On 29 November, FSC France will participate in the Global Climate March, organized in Paris by the global civic organization Avaaz.org. FSC France will lead the forests section that can be found in the ‘Solutions’ section of the march. If you want to join the Global Climate March, please sign up here.