Forest For The Future – Podcasts

Title: Episode 77: Demystifying FSC Chain of Custody audits, Featuring César Gonçalves, Policy Manager for FSC CoC/CW, FSC International Author(s): Worm, Loa Dalgaard Description: In this episode of Forest for the Future, we go back to basics and dive deep into one of the most common—and critical—questions in FSC: How do Chain of Custody audits actually work? Host Loa Worm is joined by César Gonçalves, Policy Manager for CoC/CW at FSC International. With experience both as an FSC auditor and a certificate holder and as the current content owner for the FSC CoC standards inside FSC, César offers a rare tripple perspective on what really happens during an FSC audit. 💬 Tune in as we explore: • What companies need to do before and during an audit • The role and purpose of FSC audits and what’s at stake • Common mistakes and how to avoid them • What auditors are really looking for—and how to prepare • Why transparency and simplicity are key to success Whether you're preparing for your first audit or just want to better understand how FSC ensures the integrity of its system, this episode is packed with real-world insights and practical advice.

Title: Episode 76: Exploring FSC’s Strategy on GIS-Based Technologies Author(s): Worm, Loa Dalgaard Description: Join us as we speak with Scot McQueen, Senior Technology Officer at FSC International, about FSC’s strategy to increase the use of GIS-based technologies. Scot explains the key steps in implementing this strategy, details our exciting new partnership with ESRI, and introduces our revamped platform for uploading boundary shape files. This platform will help us create a comprehensive map of FSC-certified forest areas, which is crucial for monitoring and compliance. But it also will help us unlock our ability to support forest manager around the world get access to GIS driven data layers and analytics as an integral part of their FSC certification. We also discuss how GIS technology will aid compliance with regulations like the EUDR and other upcoming legislations, and our aspirational goals for the next year. Tune in to learn how FSC is leveraging GIS technology to enhance sustainable forestry.

Title: Episode 75: The Detail is in What We Measure: Making Impact Measurement a Reality Author(s): Worm, Loa Dalgaard Description: In this episode, we explore FSC's journey towards outcome-oriented approaches in sustainable forestry. Franck Trolliet and Arildo Dias share insights into how FSC is transitioning to an impact-focused system, ensuring that its standards lead to measurable and meaningful outcomes. Join us as we delve into the new concept note for Outcome Orientation in the FSC system and how impact evaluation will transform sustainable forest management. Learn about the indicators being developed to track carbon, biodiversity, social, and economic outcomes and how GIS and remote sensing technologies play a pivotal role in this transformation. We also discuss the potential challenges stakeholders may face during this shift and the long-term vision for outcome orientation in FSC. This episode sheds light on how FSC plans to reinforce its mission of responsible forestry while responding to increasing demands for data-driven proof of impact. Key Discussion Points: • What does "Outcome Orientation" mean, and why is it crucial for FSC? • How is this approach different from traditional certification methods? • The role of new indicators in measuring forest management impacts. • How GIS and remote sensing technologies enhance data collection. • The implications for national standards and global procedures. • The future of FSC’s Verified Impact certification and its synergy with Outcome Indicators. Tune in to discover how FSC’s focus on impact measurement is shaping the future of responsible forestry and the broader field of sustainability.

Title: Episode 74 – EU Taxonomy – The vehicle behind green finance? Featuring Asger Olsen, International Woodland Company, and Ondrej Tarabus, FSC International Author(s): Worm, Loa Dalgaard Description: In this episode of Forest for the Future, we explore a piece of legislation that has the potential to reshape how businesses approach sustainability: the EU Taxonomy. We sit down with Asger Olsen, Global Head of Climate Biodiversity and ESG at International Woodland Company, and Ondrej Tarabus, Senior Advisor for Verified Impact at FSC International, to break down the complexities of the EU Taxonomy and what it means for sustainable forestry and climate action. Join us as we dive deep into how this legislation connects financial incentives to the green transition, and why it's essential for companies—both within and beyond the EU—to understand its requirements. We also discuss the broader implications of this legislation for biodiversity, eco-system services, and the role of FSC in driving sustainable practices globally. Topics we cover include: • What is the EU Taxonomy, and why should we care? • How the EU Taxonomy integrates with other major legislations like the EUDR and CSRD. • The global impact of the EU Taxonomy on companies, even outside of the EU. • How FSC is aligning with the EU Taxonomy to stay relevant and promote sustainable forest management. Listen in as we unpack the challenges and opportunities presented by this landmark legislation!

Title: Episode 72 Circularity in FSC - How do we make a linear system circular? Featuring Loa Dalgaard Worm, leader of the FSC Circularity Hub Author(s): Worm, Loa Dalgaard Description: How does FSC go from being a linear system to being supportive of the circular economy? That is the focus of this special episode of Forest for the Future, where Loa Dalgaard Worm, global lead of the FSC Circularity Hub is interviewed by Ewa Hermanowicz, FSC Communications manager. FSC was built 30 years ago in a time where products were mainly linear. As a result all of our standards and rules are designed for linear economy. How do we transition all of that to being fit in a circular economy? And what are the topics and processes explored as part of the process? That is the topics covered in this episode.

Title: Episode 71: Can you count the impact of FSC on biodiversity? Featuring Joeri A. Zwerts, Assistant professor at Ecology and Biodiversity, Utrecht University Author(s): Worm, Loa Dalgaard Description: This episode delves into the tangible impact of FSC on wildlife and biodiversity. We explore the proven benefits and the methodologies used to measure them. Join us as we discuss a groundbreaking study recently published in Nature Magazine. This research, the largest of its kind, assesses the effect of FSC certification on tropical forests. Our guest, Joeri A. Zwerts from the University of Utrecht, shares insights from his five-year study conducted in Congo, Cameroon, and Gabon. He tested FSC's core promise: to protect biodiversity and wildlife. Learn about the challenges he faced and the significant findings on FSC's real impact on the ground. Tune in to understand how conservation efforts translate into measurable results in the forests.

Title: Episode 70: A new era for FSC? The effect of technology releases and legislation featuring Michael Marus, Chief Information Officer, and Marc Jessel, Chief System Integrity Officer at FSC international Author(s): Worm, Loa Dalgaard Description: In this episode we are going to talk big picture. The thing is that FSC is on the brink of a new era of our existence. Or at least that is my feeling before entering into the conversation with the two guests. We are in a few months releasing our blockchain tool to the world. We are finalizing new voluntary module to support compliance with upcoming legislations – and FSC doesn’t normally have voluntary modules. We are linking all of our digital innovations into a few new user facing tools. And all of this is happening at an unprecedented speed for FSC. Do my guests agree that we are moving faster and that we within the next six months will see a completely new FSC offering emerging? That is what I’ve invited Marc Jessel, Chief System Integrity Officer and Michael Marus, Chief Information Officer & Acting Head of Resources and Services into the studio for a conversation on.

Title: Episode 69: Proof from the ground and sky - Combining forensic testing and earth observation, Featuring Scot McQueen, Senior Technology Officer at FSC International and Jade Saunders, Director of World Forest ID Author(s): Worm, Loa Dalgaard Description: This episode focus on origin verification and the tools companies, authorities and organizations such as FSC can use to prove that products come from where we think they come from. Some of these tools are currently being together into a web, that can give undisputable yet cost effective proof by organisations such as World Forest ID, who are now combining earth observation – satellite imagery – and forensic testing from the ground. To enlighten me on what is being worked on inside and outside of FSC within this field I’ve invited Scot McQueen, Senior Technology Officer at FSC International and Jade Saunders, Director of World Forest ID.

Title: Episode 68: How can we help you? – How FSC is aligning to EUDR (Chapter 2) Author(s): Worm, Loa Dalgaard Description: CHAPTER 2 OF 2. The European Deforestation regulation is coming and companies around the globe are working fast to align to the new requirements. In these two episodes of Forest for the Future we dive into the details of the legislation and how companies might get to the level of data points needed. We get nerdy about how FSC will adjust to the new data fields needed. We will talk about how we can help and when. And we will touch base on what is causing headaches when adjusting to the new legislation. To get down to the level of detail needed, where I’ve invited Joanna Nowakowska, FSC System Performance Director and Michael Marus, FSC Chief Information Officer and Matteo Mascolo, Lead EU Affairs & Engagement for Europe to help me get up to speed. This is a large topic and therefore this episode will consist of two chapters.

Title: Episode 67: How can we help you? – How FSC is aligning to EUDR (Chapter 1) Author(s): Worm, Loa Dalgaard Description: CHAPTER 1 OF 2. The European Deforestation regulation is coming and companies around the globe are working fast to align to the new requirements. In these two episodes of Forest for the Future we dive into the details of the legislation and how companies might get to the level of data points needed. We get nerdy about how FSC will adjust to the new data fields needed. We will talk about how we can help and when. And we will touch base on what is causing headaches when adjusting to the new legislation. To get down to the level of detail needed, where I’ve invited Joanna Nowakowska, FSC System Performance Director and Michael Marus, FSC Chief Information Officer and Matteo Mascolo, Lead EU Affairs & Engagement for Europe to help me get up to speed. This is a large topic and therefore this episode will consist of two chapters.