Bonn–Wednesday, October 24, 2018: The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), today announced a partnership to develop a global framework aimed at creating a more sustainable world through responsible forest management.
The memorandum of understanding (MoU), signed between WAZA and FSC at WAZA’s 73rd Annual Conference in Bangkok aims to support FSC’s national network partners and members of WAZA in promoting responsible forest management as an important tool for the conservation of nature and of endangered species.
Pledging its commitment towards this shared mission, WAZA’s chief executive officer, Doug Cress, said, “Zoos and aquariums are at the forefront of tackling global environmental issues and we receive over 700 million visitors each year. As such, we can play an important role in working with the Forest Stewardship Council to help ensure forests are responsibly managed and protected for future generations.”
WAZA, which represents the world’s leading zoos and aquariums and includes more than 400 members, will collaborate with FSC to develop a joint programme that emphasizes the benefits of FSC certification for nature conservation. In addition, the MoU sets clear targets for members of WAZA to source FSC certified materials in their procurement of paper and wooden products by 2023.
FSC welcomes the announcement and is thankful for WAZA’s commitment towards responsible forest management. The declaration aligns with and complements FSC’s mission to protect the world’s forests, promote responsible forest management and encourage sustainable consumer choices.
Working with WAZA creates some very important communication opportunities for FSC. Cooperation is already happening between specific Zoos and Aquariums and their national FSC organisations, but this will be the first time a global framework is created to strengthen these efforts.
“The Forest Stewardship Council welcomes WAZA’s decision to work with us to communicate the environmental benefits of FSC certification and to prefer FSC certified materials in the sourcing of paper and wooden products. It is only through collaboration with as many stakeholders as possible, that we will become stronger in accomplishing our mission to protect our world’s forests and in turn the environment. FSC looks forward to working with WAZA to achieve these goals,” FSC’s Director General, Kim Carstensen, said.
The Forest Stewardship Council is an independent, non-profit, membership-led organisation that sets standards to ensure responsible forest management. FSC consults a global network of environmental, social, and economic members to ensure that its forest standards represent everyone’s needs—from Indigenous Peoples to endangered animal species.
WAZA is a global alliance of more than 400 leading zoos and aquariums in over 50 countries.
For media requests, please contact:
Arlene Chang
Media Manager
a.chang@fsc.org
Gavrielle Kirk-Cohen
gavrielle.kirkcohen@waza.org
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