Linking Sustainability and Security: The Case of Timber Certification

Abstract

Sustainable development reflects an emphasis on integrated solutions to economic development, socio-political stability and environmental health in the global community. In the same context the concept of security is no longer applied only to the military realm, but also to the economic, the societal, the environmental, and the political fields. The forestry sector provides a good illustration of the links between sustainable development and security in both its narrow (military security) and its broad (non-military security) sense. The forests have a substantial impact on the Earth¿s climate, the loss of forests is devastating to biodiversity and timber sales have been used to fund both state and non-state combatants in a variety of civil conflicts. Timber certification has been put forward as a viable alternative to existing regulations and practices and as one capable of contributing to the mitigation of both climate change and conflict. This paper outlines the evolution of timber certification initiatives. The identities and roles of different stakeholders are discussed, followed by an evaluation of certified forest areas and the implications of forest management for post-war economies. Finally, the role of timber certification and its possible impact on peaceful and sustainable development are discussed