How the FSC improved global forest management through its credible certification efforts

Certification as a tool for scaling impact 

The scaling of conservation impact can be achieved through three interconnected approaches: scaling out, scaling up and scaling deep. This case study offers an example of how certification can be used as a tool for scaling impact to achieve all three.

Scaling out refers to expanding a successful conservation solution to new locations and adapting it to different contexts. Scaling up aims to drive systemic change by influencing policies, governance and institutional frameworks that create favourable conditions for conservation success. Scaling deep ensures lasting impact by shifting cultural norms, values and behaviours within communities. 

The FSC constitutes an example of scaling out in that it started in countries like the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Germany and Sweden but expanded to become a global system of certification.

In terms of scaling up, its standards have been integrated into certain national policies and aligned with international laws. In countries such as Gabon and Guatemala, for example, the FSC has successfully influenced policy changes related to forest concessions.

By certifying forests that meet specific ecological, social and economic standards, the FSC also demonstrates how scaling deep can help shape norms, values and behaviours. Its certification programme helps to change behaviours in companies and among forest managers and consumers. As a voluntary incentive system aimed at behavioural change, the FSC motivates the use of sustainable practices and expands the reach of conservation efforts across various scales, from individual forest ownership to entire supply chains.

While scaling out broadens the reach of conservation initiatives, scaling up and scaling deep establish the enabling conditions that amplify and sustain impact.

The FSC Model

The FSC has Network Partners (National Offices) in various countries and  collaborates with local partners to adapt FSC standards to the specific contexts of each country. The organisation’s accreditation and certification system is administered through third-party certification bodies who are accredited based on their compliance with FSC policies.

Additionally, the FSC offers guidance and support on responsible forest management issues to policymakers, forest managers, and legislators. It conducts educational initiatives to raise awareness about the importance of responsible forest management practices and the benefits of certification in achieving this goal.

The FSC’s clear governance structure helps ensure the effective national, regional and global governance of its certification scheme. The structure is built upon the democratic principles of participation and equity. A three-chamber governance structure underpins all decision making, and therefore, its activities. Members represent one of the three chambers – social, environmental and economic – and all have an equal say.

The organization generates revenue primarily through administration fees charged to accredited certification bodies, membership fees, and licensing fees for the FSC logo and trademark. Additionally, the FSC receives income from investments, fundraising, partnerships, and contributions to accelerate its mission.

Factors that drive the FSC’s scaling success

• Multi-stakeholder co-creation: The FSC employs multi-stakeholder processes at both national and global levels to develop standards for responsible forest management. One of the organization’s key strengths is its ability to unite members and partners with varied interests in their shared goal of establishing these standards. This process of co-creation and compromise fosters broad legitimacy and shared ownership of forest certification, leading to wider acceptance. 

• A strong, recognizable brand: The FSC built early brand recognition through partnerships with major corporations and NGOs (WWF being one). The FSC logo is displayed on certified products to indicate that they were made from timber produced through responsible forestry practices. Its clear identity makes it easy to distinguish it from other certification programmes, which builds trust and ensures lasting impact. 

• A market-valued certification: Though not legally required, FSC certification offers commercial value. Companies adopt it to differentiate themselves from competitors, meet procurement standards, or gain market access, all of which organically fuels scale.

• Third parties as a scale enabler: Using third-party certification bodies enables the FSC to scale without directly delivering every certification. These independent businesses have a financial incentive to grow their services, creating a self-sustaining network of ‘doers’ invested in expanding responsible forest management. This independence between standard-setting and accreditation also minimises any potential conflicts of interest. 

• Financial sustainability: Its revenue model — based largely on chain-of-custody certification — makes the FSC less dependent on donor funding, which enables long-term scalability and operational independence.

• The catalytic role of partnership: WWF and other organizations played critical roles in the FSC’s early seeding, advocacy, funding, and legitimacy building. They also helped secure large-scale uptake by influencing corporate and government policies to specify or preference FSC products.

Impacts achieved and future prospects

The FSC’s standards translate into tangible conservation impacts. Here is a list of some of the positive effects so far:

• A roadmap for sustainable forestry: FSC standards not only provide a roadmap to sustainable forestry but also set the bar for industry players. About 25% of the world’s industrial roundwood volumes now come from FSC-certified forests.

• Environmental impacts: FSC-certified forests positively impact biodiversity, carbon levels, water sources and the soil. A 2024 study published in Nature  revealed that there are more large mammals in FSC-certified forests in Gabon and the Republic of the Congo than in those not certified by the FSC. 

• Better policies: The FSC influences policies through its standards, partnerships and global dialogue. The government of Gabon, for instance, has issued a groundbreaking decision to have all Gabonese forest concessions meet FSC standards.

• A platform for indigenous voices: The FSC has provided a testing ground for the concept of free, prior and informed consent (FPIC), for example as it relates to REDD+. FPIC is highly relevant in investor-state contract negotiations aimed at reducing emissions caused by deforestation and forest degradation. 

Challenges and barriers encountered

Despite the progress made, FSC faced, and continues to face, challenges in scaling their impact: 

• Complex and costly processes: Achieving FSC certification is a bureaucratic, multi-layered process that can be time-consuming and frustrating for stakeholders.

• Social barriers: In some areas, unclear ownership and overlapping claims related to land and community rights can deter investment in sustainable forestry practices. It is also challenging to ensure that certification processes respect the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in regions with weak governance and social conflicts.

• Economic barriers: Especially for smallholders, the high costs and complexity of the certification process can be overwhelming, and the financial benefits — like access to better markets — may not be immediately clear to forestry operators. As a result, uptake of certification by smallholders remains limited. Without evident economic reasons to pursue certification, its progress can stall.

• Institutional barriers: In some countries, unclear and inconsistent forestry policies create uncertainty for certification efforts. Additionally, forestry departments often lack the necessary staff and resources to implement and monitor certification standards effectively. 

Next steps

• Expanding the FSC’s reach: Going forward, the organization will focus on regions and countries that have areas of high conservation value, indigenous cultural landscapes and the potential to mitigate climate change and protect biodiversity, while helping to responsibly address the demand for forest products.

• Embracing modern technology: The FSC is evolving to meet the technological needs of conservation practitioners and to maintain its relevance. It is moving towards a data-driven future, where information will enhance the value of FSC certification for certificate holders and consumers alike. By integrating digital tools into its processes and investing in data science, the FSC aims to boost its credibility and the integrity of supply chains within the system, while reducing certification costs.

Unlocking responsible finance: By combining impact-driven investment strategies with FSC-certified forestry projects, the organization is setting a new precedent for how finance can benefit both people and the planet.