Forests cover 31% of the global land area, providing up to $100 billion annually in goods and services and >86 million jobs. Productive forests generate income and employment in remote areas with few economic opportunities. Industries and hundreds of millions of households worldwide depend on them for a variety of products, among them:
Demand for these traditional forest products growing every year and new products – such as fossil fuel substitutes – are emerging fast. But we also need forests to store more carbon, provide diverse habitats, clean water, healthy soils, and more. And, for many indigenous people and other communities, forests are central to their economic and spiritual wellbeing.
Forests are a vast and diverse renewable resource, but they are not limitless. In many places, increasing demand is leading to the degradation of carbon, biodiversity and other ecosystem values, and the global scale of forest degradation impacts is comparable to those of outright deforestation.
We work with over 20 members, clients, and donors of the Production Forest Group, which is a consortium of major forest product companies sourcing worldwide.
Pulp and Paper
Biomass
Earthworm approaches Production Forests through two perspectives: as part of companies' supply chains and as part of key sourcing landscapes.
Supply chains
We work with major forest product companies to gain transparency into – and positively impact – their supply chains. This is achieved through risk assessment, collaboration with upstream suppliers, and sourcing from regions where production is balanced with respect for people and nature.
Landscapes
Efforts are focused on key sourcing landscapes where members of the Production Forests Group can collaborate. The approach allows the Group to work directly with their suppliers and other key stakeholders for better ecological and social outcomes.
Learn more about Earthworm Foundation's work in forests