Discuss challenges, share knowledge and best practices with colleagues from all over Europe on successfully implementing and meeting timber purchasing policies. Explore business relations with buyers / suppliers keen to use sustainably sourced timber.
Timber purchasing policies contribute to forest conservation worldwide. This European Sustainable Tropical Timber Coalition (STTC) conference explores the achievements and possibilities of timber purchasing strategies and policies together with key stakeholders from the public and private sector. The full day conference will offer learning and networking opportunities by means of interactive plenaries and breakout sessions.
Learn about
- How choosing sustainably sourced tropical timber contributes to forest conservation
- The impact of timber purchasing policies on both markets and forests
- How to best design, implement and meet timber purchasing policies in practice
- What the STTC has to offer the public and private sector (www.europeansttc.com)
- EU policy developments with regards to procurement and FLEGT (incl. EUTR)
- Financial mechanisms which favor sustainably sourced timber
- Good practice examples, e.g. how the Netherlands achieved a market share of 74% sustainably sourced timber
Background
Forests are crucial for men, nature and the environment. To enhance the values forests deliver, it is crucial to maintain a balance between all forest services and values and to create and sustain a sound financial basis for Sustainable Forest Management (SFM). Consumer markets demanding sustainably sourced timber products are an important trigger for SFM.
Research shows that government procurement policies can have a broader impact on consumer markets than simply through the direct effect of government purchases: in countries with comprehensive timber procurement policies the market share of certified timber increased. Procurement policies can be developed and implemented more rapidly than most other policy options (Brack, 2014). However, this doesn’t mean that it is easy for both the public and private sector. Therefore we invite you for this conference to exchange experiences and share best practices.
The Netherlands, who hold the EU presidency until June 2016, is an excellent showcase how a market share of 74% sustainably sourced timber can be reached through smart timber procurement policies.
Participants and speakers
The conference will gather policy makers and procurement officers from national and local governments, timber trade federations, companies in the timber supply chain, NGOs, certification schemes and representatives from research institutes.
Confirmed speakers include experts from the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment, City of Rotterdam, ICLEI, Precious Woods, Royal BAM group, various Timber Trade Federations, Ecoinstitut, the European STTC and the European Timber Trade Federation (more to be announced soon!). The conference is moderated by Peter Woodward (Quest Associates).
Location
The conference will take place at Wereldmuseum (World Museum): Willemskade 22-25, 3016 DM Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Information and registration
The conference is free of charge (including lunch, drinks and bites).
Register here: www.europeansttc.com.
For more information, please contact Joyce Penninkhof joyce.penninkhof@probos.nl, +31 (0)317-466557.
We look forward to see you Thursday June, 23 in Rotterdam!
Yours sincerely,
European Sustainable Tropical Timber Coalition (STTC)
Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment
City of Rotterdam
European Timber Trade Federation (ETTF)
ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability
Probos
