Forest For The Future - Podcasts

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Mar 2026

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How innovation in FSC can help save our forests

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March 25, 202643 min

Episode 87: The New AI Frontier in Forestry: Inside UPM’s Arnibot

Title: Episode 87: The New AI Frontier in Forestry: Inside UPM’s Arnibot Author(s): Worm, Loa Dalgaard Description: Artificial intelligence is rapidly entering the world of forestry. But what does that mean in practice? In this episode of Forest for the Future, we explore UPM’s AI-powered assistant, Arnibot, and what it reveals about the digital transformation of forest management. How can an AI agent support decision-making in complex forest operations? How do you ensure reliability, prevent hallucinations, and maintain alignment with standards and procedures? And what role could certification systems like FSC play in the future development of such tools? Host Loa Dalgaard Worm is joined by Joonas Palonen, AI Architect from UPM’s AI Center of Excellence, who unpack how Arnibot was developed, who uses it, and how it is continuously evaluated and improved. The conversation also looks ahead to what comes next—from multimodal interfaces and image recognition to potential applications in planning and certification contexts. This is a forward-looking conversation about technology, trust, and the evolving interface between artificial intelligence and responsible forest management.

February 24, 20261 hr 4 min

Episode 86: Climate Change and FSC – Managing for Climate Impacts featuring Christian Messier, Amy Cardinal, and Vivian Peachy

Title: Episode 86: Climate Change and FSC – Managing for Climate Impacts featuring Christian Messier, Amy Cardinal, and Vivian Peachy Author(s): Worm, Loa Dalgaard Description: Climate change is no longer a distant risk for forests — it is already reshaping ecosystems, livelihoods, and forest management decisions across Canada and the world. In this final episode of the Climate Change and FSC mini-series, we turn our attention to managing forests for climate impacts. Host Loa Dalgaard Worm is joined by Christian Messier, Professor of Forest Ecology at UQO and UQAM, Amy Cardinal, Senior Fire Advisor at the Indigenous Leadership Initiative, and Vivian Peachy from FSC Canada. Together, they explore how climate-driven disturbances such as wildfire, insect outbreaks, drought, and flooding are increasing in frequency and intensity, and what this means for biodiversity, carbon storage, forest health, and community safety. The conversation examines how forest management practices may need to evolve in response to these impacts, drawing on ecological science, Indigenous knowledge, and practical experience from the ground. Topics include wildfire as both a natural process and a growing risk, the role of forest diversity and resilience, the difference between carbon storage and carbon sequestration, and the real risk of forests shifting from carbon sinks to net carbon sources under increasing disturbance. The episode also looks at how FSC Canada is working to adapt forest management standards to a changing climate, the challenges of balancing multiple forest values, and how tools such as climate vulnerability assessments, adaptive management, and collaboration across sectors can support climate-resilient forest stewardship. This episode concludes the three-part series developed in collaboration between FSC Canada and FSC Denmark, exploring how climate adaptation, science, and governance can come together to shape the future of responsible forest management.

February 17, 202656 min

Episode 85: Climate Change and FSC – What Is a Climate Vulnerability Assessment? Featuring Dr. Sheri Andrews-Key and Kevin Gillis

Title: Episode 85: Climate Change and FSC – What Is a Climate Vulnerability Assessment? Featuring Dr. Sheri Andrews-Key and Kevin Gillis Author(s): Worm, Loa Dalgaard Description: Climate change is often described as uncertain and complex, yet forest managers still need to make decisions today. In this second episode of the Climate Change and FSC mini-series, we move from framing the challenge to exploring one of the key practical tools used to support climate adaptation in forestry: climate vulnerability assessments. Host Loa Dalgaard Worm is joined by Dr. Sheri Andrews-Key from the University of British Columbia and Kevin Gillis from Mistik Management Ltd. Together, they unpack what a climate vulnerability assessment is, why it has become an important tool for climate adaptation, and how it can be applied in real-world forest management. Drawing on hands-on experience and a detailed case study from Mistik Management, the conversation explores how vulnerability assessments help identify climate risks such as wildfire, extreme weather, and operational disruption, and how they can be embedded into existing forest management systems, certification requirements, and long-term planning. The episode also looks at how these processes support better decision-making, accountability, and engagement with communities and Indigenous knowledge, while remaining useful in the face of ongoing uncertainty. This episode is part of a three-part series examining how FSC Canada is working to integrate climate adaptation into forest management standards and to develop practical tools that support forest owners and managers in responding to climate change.

February 10, 202651 min

Episode 84: Climate change and FSC – Setting the stage, featuring Subhra Bhattacharjee, Director General at FSC International, and Valarie Courtois from the Indigenous Leadership Initiative

Title: Episode 84: Climate change and FSC – Setting the stage, featuring Subhra Bhattacharjee, Director General at FSC International, and Valarie Courtois from the Indigenous Leadership Initiative Author(s): Worm, Loa Dalgaard Description: Climate change is already reshaping forest ecosystems around the world, with profound implications for how forests are managed, governed, and protected. In this first episode of the Climate Change and FSC mini-series, we set the stage by zooming out and exploring why climate change matters for forests — and why systems like FSC must adapt in response. Host Loa Dalgaard Worm is joined by Subhra Bhattacharjee, Director General at FSC International, and Valarie Courtois from the Indigenous Leadership Initiative. Together, they unpack how FSC understands climate change as both a mitigation and an adaptation challenge, and why accounting for climate risks is becoming essential for sustainable forest management and for societies more broadly. The conversation explores how climate change is already affecting forests on the ground, from increasing wildfire and insect outbreaks to changes in wildlife behaviour and ecosystem stability. It also examines the difference between climate mitigation and adaptation in a forestry context, the economic and social costs of inaction, and the role of incentives, markets, and certification in supporting climate-resilient forest stewardship. Drawing on Indigenous knowledge systems and global perspectives, this episode highlights why planning for climate change is no longer optional, and how collaboration, leadership, and action across sectors are needed to safeguard forests and the communities that depend on them. This episode opens a three-part series focusing on how climate adaptation is being integrated into forest management standards and on-the-ground practice.

December 17, 20251 hr 0 min

Episode 83: While we wait for EUDR - what could be done to get ready?

Title: Episode 83: While we wait for EUDR - what could be done to get ready? Author(s): Worm, Loa Dalgaard Description: The EU Deforestation Regulation is entering a period of uncertainty, with discussions around timing and implementation still ongoing. Recorded just one day after a major announcement about a possible additional delay, this episode of Forest for the Future focuses on what companies, authorities, and supply chain actors can do while we wait for EUDR. Rather than revisiting headlines, the conversation moves into the practical realities of readiness. Drawing on insights from a high-level FSC-hosted webinar, the episode explores what competent authorities are likely to check in audits, what due diligence looks like beyond documentation, and where companies are struggling most in practice. You’ll hear directly from enforcement authorities with hands-on experience, legal experts unpacking why uniform implementation matters, and global perspectives on how producer countries and supply chains are adapting. The episode also looks at why systems such as FSC remain essential during this waiting period. Certification, traceability tools, and risk assessments are discussed not just as compliance mechanisms, but as ways to build credible due diligence systems and prepare for long-term forest-positive impact. While EUDR may be delayed or debated, the direction of travel is clear. This episode offers concrete guidance on how to use this time productively — to strengthen systems, reduce risk, and be better prepared for what comes next. Featuring insights from: – EU Commission: Gabor Lovasi – Forest Stewardship Council (FSC): Trevor Armel and Matteo Mascolo – EUDR Dutch Competent Authority: Jessica van Zetten – ClientEarth: Michael Rice – World Bank: Melvin Spreij

November 25, 202540 min

Episode 82: Reclaimed Materials & Circular Models in FSC: What’s Next for Chain of Custody? (Episode 2 of 2)

Title: Episode 82: Reclaimed Materials & Circular Models in FSC: What’s Next for Chain of Custody? (Episode 2 of 2) Author(s): Worm, Loa Dalgaard Description: In this second episode of our two-part mini-series on the revision of the FSC Chain of Custody standard, we turn our focus toward one of the most forward-looking elements of the revision: reclaimed materials and circular business models. Circularity is rapidly becoming a central part of how companies think about sustainability, and FSC is now taking major steps to make sure the certification system can support models such as leasing, take-back, repair, and reuse. Host Loa Worm is joined by Morten Brodde, Senior Specialist and Analyst at the FSC Circularity Hub, and Doug Patterson, Director at Renewable Strategies and member of the Chain of Custody Working Group. Together they explore what FSC is doing to enable circularity, why this transition is happening now, and how new requirements on reclaimed materials could reshape the experience of certificate holders and create new opportunities in the market. The discussion covers the types of circular models FSC is evaluating, the challenges of bringing them into a certification system, and what companies may need to adapt in order to meet future expectations. The conversation also touches on pre-consumer wood, the proposals under consultation, and the debate around whether salvaged wood from urban contexts should be included in the standard. This episode provides a clear, practical overview of how circularity may become a bigger part of FSC — and what stakeholders should pay attention to as the first round of consultation opens.

November 25, 202539 min

Episode 81: What Is Next in FSC Chain of Custody? A Glimpse Into the Revision Process (Episode 1 of 2)

Title: Episode 81: What Is Next in FSC Chain of Custody? A Glimpse Into the Revision Process (Episode 1 of 2) Author(s): Worm, Loa Dalgaard Description: In this episode of Forest for the Future, we explore one of the most significant ongoing developments in the FSC system: the full revision of the FSC Chain of Custody standard. This framework ensures that materials carrying the FSC label are tracked responsibly through every step of the supply chain, and the current revision may introduce some of the most meaningful updates in more than a decade. Host Loa Worm is joined by César Gonçalves, Programme Manager for Controlled Wood and Chain of Custody at FSC and lead on the revision process, and Emily White, Policy Manager for the same area focusing especially on social requirements. Together they unpack why FSC is revising the standard now, how topics for revision are selected, and which of the proposed changes may have the biggest impact on companies, auditors and the system as a whole. The conversation explores topics including simplification of the system, increased use of risk-based approaches, the potential merging of several standards into one, expanded flexibility for multi-site and group certification, updates to the treatment of pre-consumer materials, and a strengthened approach to workers’ rights. Emily provides a deep dive into the evolution of the social requirements, why further alignment with global labour expectations is needed, and how FSC aims to balance ambition with practicality for companies. The episode also guides listeners through the current public consultation: how to participate, what to expect from the process, and how stakeholder input directly shapes the next iteration of the standard. If you would like to participate in the consultation, find out more here: https://connect.fsc.org/chain-custody-certification/revision-chain-custody-standards This is the first of two episodes on the Chain of Custody revision. In the next episode, we turn to reclaimed materials and FSC’s work to support circular business models with high innovation potential.

October 22, 202541 min

Episode 80 – Circular economy in a volatile world: Building resilience through circular systems

Title: Episode 80 – Circular economy in a volatile world: Building resilience through circular systems Author(s): Worm, Loa Dalgaard Description: In this special episode of Forest for the Future, we dive into the intersection of circular economy, forest resources, and global resilience. Host Loa Worm, in her role as leader of the FSC Circularity Hub, convenes an expert panel to discuss how circular thinking can strengthen resource security in an era of geopolitical volatility. Guests include Luisa Santiago from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Nina Grießhammer, Sebastian Mandiola of Arauco, and FSC’s own Fabian Farkas—each bringing a unique perspective on how industries, NGOs, and certification systems must evolve to drive a regenerative, bio-based future. The discussion touches on everything from the 45% of emissions linked to production and consumption patterns to the urgent need to use wood more wisely and the pivotal role of FSC in enabling circular transformation. This episode is an honest, forward-looking conversation about how collaboration, innovation, and leadership can turn the circular economy from theory into action. Topics Covered • The key role of forestry and agriculture in building economic resilience • How companies like Arauco are turning circular principles into practice • The risks of overreliance on virgin wood—and how to rethink its use • Policy gaps and the need for better alignment on circularity incentives • The role of FSC’s Circularity Hub as a driver of systems change

July 7, 202545 min

Episode 79: Next stop - circular economy in FSC? Legislative drivers, principles and how FSC connects

Title: Episode 79: Next stop - circular economy in FSC? Legislative drivers, principles and how FSC connects Author(s): Worm, Loa Dalgaard Description: Featuring: Morten Brodde, Senior Specialist, FSC Circularity Hub, FSC International & Sidse Jensen, Senior Specialist, FSC Circularity Hub, FSC International In this episode of Forest for the Future, we explore FSC’s expanding role in the circular economy—from our current contributions to the opportunities ahead. Host Loa Worm is joined by Morten Brodde and Sidse Jensen from the FSC Circularity Hub for a deep dive into how FSC certification aligns with emerging circular economy legislation and what that means for forest-based value chains worldwide. We explore: • What the circular economy really means in a forest context • How FSC-certified materials already support circular sourcing • What 75+ national action plans are doing to drive global change • Where FSC standards can evolve: reuse, leasing, take-back, and beyond • How FSC can better address social impacts—from informal workers to consumer empowerment Whether you're a sustainability expert, supply chain leader, or policymaker, this episode delivers key insights into how FSC can help shape a more circular, equitable future.

June 4, 202554 min

Episode 78: Greenwashing and FSC: Is there a limit to what you can say?

Title: Episode 78: Greenwashing and FSC: Is there a limit to what you can say? Author(s): Worm, Loa Dalgaard Description: Featuring: Trevor Armel, Marketing Director, FSC International and Ana-Maria Băban, Acting Commercial Director, FSC International In this episode of Forest for the Future, we get real about greenwashing—and about how even well-intentioned sustainability claims can fall into murky territory. Loa Worm is joined by Trevor Armel, Marketing Director, FSC International and Ana-Maria Băban, Acting Commercial Director, FSC International, for a candid discussion on what companies can —and can’t—say when promoting their work on sustainability in general and on FSC in particural. And then we dive deep into how upcoming EU legislation could shape the rules for everyone. We explore: • What counts as greenwashing vs. honest communication • Why communicating FSC’s value can be tricky – even for us • Examples of what companies can and cannot claim publicly about their FSC products • How partnerships with high-impact brands are evaluated • The potential effects of the EU Green Claims Directive and the Empowering Consumers Directive • How FSC is preparing to support certificate holders in navigating this evolving space Whether you're in sustainability, marketing, or certification, this episode provides practical insights on the risks and responsibilities of talking about impact.