Adopting global forest certification – a method for companies to protect forest resources – vietnamnews.vn

Report on Vietnam’s Sustainable Forest Management and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

This report analyzes Vietnam’s strategic shift towards sustainable forest management, emphasizing the adoption of international certifications like the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). It evaluates the nation’s progress and strategies in the context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 15 (Life on Land), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Advancing SDG 15 (Life on Land) through National Forestry Initiatives

National Reforestation and Conservation Efforts

Over the past two decades, Vietnam has made significant strides in balancing rapid economic growth with environmental stewardship, directly contributing to SDG 15. The nation has reversed a trend of forest depletion, demonstrating a commitment to protecting, restoring, and promoting the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.

• National forest cover increased from 34% in 2000 to 42.02% in 2024.
• The Vietnam Forestry Development Strategy for 2021-2030 sets a target of reforesting 345,000 hectares annually.
• Current initiatives include the natural regeneration of 537,000 hectares of forest and the active maintenance of over 2.3 million hectares of plantation forests.

These actions directly support SDG Target 15.2, which calls for the promotion of sustainable management of all types of forests, halting deforestation, and restoring degraded forests.

The Role of PEFC in Sustainable Forest Management

The adoption of global forest certifications is a key strategy for achieving sustainable management. Vietnam became the 50th member of the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) in 2019. PEFC provides a framework for verifying that forest management practices are ecologically sound, socially beneficial, and economically viable, aligning with the core principles of SDG 15.

Integrating Multiple SDGs through Certified Forestry

Contribution to Climate Action (SDG 13) and Responsible Production (SDG 12)

Sustainable forest management is critical for climate change mitigation and promoting responsible economic patterns.

1. Climate Action (SDG 13): By committing to sustainable forestry, Vietnam enhances its capacity to sequester carbon, preserve vital biodiversity, and build resilience to climate change.
2. Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12): PEFC certification establishes a verifiable chain of custody, ensuring sustainable production patterns. According to the Department of Forestry and Forest Protection, PEFC helps ensure over 75% traceability from source to product, meeting global market demand for sustainably sourced goods and reducing illegal logging.

Supporting Economic Growth and Livelihoods (SDG 8)

Sustainable forestry practices support the livelihoods of millions and ensure the long-term viability of forest-dependent industries. By realigning operations with principles of sustainability, sectors like paper manufacturing can secure their economic future while protecting ecosystems, contributing to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

International Partnerships and Best Practices (SDG 17)

Case Study: APRIL Group’s Sustainability Model

The success of regional companies like APRIL Group offers a valuable model for Vietnam. APRIL Group’s approach demonstrates the power of integrating international standards with local engagement.

• PEFC Adherence: Strict adherence to PEFC standards throughout the supply chain enhances brand reputation and global market access.
• Community Engagement: The company’s model has led to the conservation of thousands of hectares of community forests.
• Livelihood and Poverty Reduction (SDG 1): The strategy increases local incomes through sustainable agroforestry programs.
• Education: Awareness of forest stewardship is promoted through educational initiatives.

Strengthening Partnerships for the Goals

Vietnam’s membership in the PEFC alliance exemplifies SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). As noted by Ben Gunneberg, CEO of PEFC International, this partnership allows mature members in key consumer markets to provide market linkage support, fostering growth for new members like Vietnam.

Recommendations for Future Action

To further advance its commitment to the SDGs, Vietnam can build on its current momentum by adopting lessons from regional leaders. The following actions are recommended:

• Expand the scale of community-based forestry projects to empower local populations and enhance conservation outcomes.
• Enhance technical training for farmers and forest owners to improve sustainable management practices.
• Strengthen oversight and enforcement of raw material supply chains from PEFC-certified plantation forests.

Successful implementation of these measures will solidify the Vietnamese forestry sector’s sustainable development and its contribution to global environmental protection goals.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 15: Life on Land
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 15: Life on Land

   • Target 15.2: Promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally.
     
     Explanation: The article details Việt Nam’s shift towards sustainable forest management, its “Việt Nam Forestry Development Strategy,” and specific goals like reforesting 345,000 hectares per year and promoting natural forest regeneration on 537,000 hectares. The adoption of the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) is a core element of this strategy.
   • Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.
     
     Explanation: The article opens by stating that the trend towards forest certifications is a response to “the ongoing challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss.” It emphasizes that sustainable forest management plays a critical role in “preserving biodiversity.”
   • Target 15.b: Mobilize significant resources from all sources and at all levels to finance sustainable forest management and provide adequate incentives to developing countries to advance such management, including for conservation and reforestation.
     
     Explanation: The article mentions that the increase in forest cover is a “testament to concerted government efforts, community engagement, and international collaboration.” It also highlights how APRIL Group’s sustainability mechanism “allocates resources to conservation and social development.”

2. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.
     
     Explanation: The article highlights that sustainable forest management is a response to the challenge of climate change and “plays a critical role in sequestering carbon.” The national strategies mentioned, such as the “Việt Nam Forestry Development Strategy” and the “National Forestry Programme for 2021-2030,” are examples of integrating climate action into national planning.

3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

   • Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
     
     Explanation: The entire article focuses on the sustainable management of forestry resources. It describes how PEFC certification provides a system for verifying that forests are managed sustainably and how industries, like paper manufacturers, are “realigning their operations with principles of sustainability” through “controlled logging, replanting programmes, and community forestry initiatives.”
   • Target 12.8: By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature.
     
     Explanation: The article mentions that APRIL Group’s engagement includes “educational programmes that raise awareness of forest stewardship from an early age,” which directly contributes to this target.

4. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.4: Improve progressively, through 2030, global resource efficiency in consumption and production and endeavour to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation.
     
     Explanation: The article explicitly states that “Over the last two decades, Việt Nam has had to balance its need for rapid economic growth with safeguarding the environment.” The shift towards sustainable forest management is presented as a way to achieve “sustainable growth of industries that depend on healthy forest ecosystems.”

5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources.
     
     Explanation: The article highlights international collaboration as a key pillar of Việt Nam’s success. It notes that Việt Nam became the 50th member of PEFC in 2019 and quotes the PEFC CEO on how mature members help new members like Việt Nam through “market linkage support.” The article also presents the APRIL Group as a lesson for Việt Nam to learn from.
   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.
     
     Explanation: The article attributes Việt Nam’s forestry success to “concerted government efforts, community engagement, and international collaboration.” It also describes how companies like APRIL Group engage with local communities, leading to “thousands of hectares of community-conserved forests.”

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. SDG 15: Life on Land

   • Indicator 15.1.1 (Forest area as a proportion of total land area): The article provides specific data, stating that national forest cover in Việt Nam rose from “34 per cent” in 2000 to “42.02 per cent” by 2024.
   • Indicator 15.2.1 (Progress towards sustainable forest management): The article provides several metrics for this:
     • The area of reforested land per year: “345,000 hectares of reforested land per year.”
     • The area of natural forest regeneration: “underway at 537,000 hectares.”
     • The area of certified forests: The article mentions PEFC has “approximately 300 million hectares of certified forests globally” and that Việt Nam is a member.
     • The area of plantation forests under active maintenance: “over 2.3 million hectares.”

2. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Implied Indicator (Carbon sequestration): While no specific numbers are given, the article states that sustainable forest management plays a “critical role in sequestering carbon,” implying that the amount of carbon sequestered is a key measure of success.

3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

   • Implied Indicator (Product traceability): The article mentions that PEFC helps ensure “over 75 per cent traceability assurance from source to product.”
   • Implied Indicator (Market demand for certified products): The article notes a “double-digit growth rate in demand for PEFC-certified products globally.”

4. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Implied Indicator (Change in local incomes): The article mentions that APRIL Group’s engagement has led to “increased local incomes through sustainable agroforestry,” suggesting this is a measurable outcome.

5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Implied Indicator (Number of international memberships): The article states that “Việt Nam became the 50th member of PEFC in 2019,” which serves as an indicator of international partnership.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article. In this table, list the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), their corresponding targets, and the specific indicators identified in the article.

Source: vietnamnews.vn