FSC general assembly agreed, with an overwhelming majority, that FSC and FSC certified companies need to protect the world's Intact Forest Landscapes (IFLs), which Greenpeace defines as "remaining large unfragmented areas within the forest zone, undisturbed by roads or other significant human infrastructure."

Intact forests are the world's remaining large pristine forests, which are critical for storing carbon, providing habitat to endangered species, and a livelihood for forest peoples. FSC will start to work at a regional and national level to secure this protection, while respecting the rights of indigenous people and forest communities, as well as allowing some flexibility for industry.

Motion 65, a measure proposed by Greenpeace, passed with over 90 percent support from FSC members. The motion specifically increases protection of Intact Forest Landscapes,

“For us it’s a huge step forward to see this very strong commitment from the General Assembly towards addressing IFLs in the FSC system and FSC playing a very positive role towards protection, but also looking at the economic and social aspects, in particular Indigenous rights - said Grant Rosoman, of Greenpeace, to Mongabay - "So we’ll still need to wait to see the implementation over the next one or two years of how this is actually put in place on the ground, but for us it’s a huge step forward and just to see how we work together here at the General Assembly to reconcile the quite diverse interests and attitudes toward this issue. So we are very happy.”

 

 

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