Business View Oceania | Volume 3, Issue 10

53 54 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 3, ISSUE 10 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 3, ISSUE 10 RESPONS I BLE WOOD stories for publishing through the quarterly magazine. Responsible Wood is also a sponsor for Australian Certified Timber category of the Australian Design Awards, and is part of government advisory panels for the Australian timber sector. In the future, Responsible Wood hopes to further increase certification in the industry to reach 100%. Another major project in the works is expansion; the association is working towards broadening their scope to cover a wider range of the Oceania region, in particular the Pacific Islands. Mr. Ross shares, “It’s very important to us that we can support areas in the Pacific that have a history of bad forest management. We see certification, independent verification, and regular auditing as a great tool to improve the health of forests in those areas, and we hope that their governments will set a policy environment that encourages more planting and the expansion of current plantations.” As the representative for the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification for Australia and New Zealand, Responsible Wood has a lot of responsibility on their shoulders. Mr. Dorries and Mr. Ross share it is a responsibility that has been undertaken, and will continue to be undertaken, with great care as the wood and forest industry continues to develop around the globe. of the member’s organisation; it’s equity based. We are ensuring fibre from forests is maintained through the supply chain all that way to their end use, and beyond. We recognise and give credit to those who recycle waste wood and forest products; we work in a carbon positive industry with a circular economy, and we will continue to work with our members to keep it that way. Our members receive support through resources, networking and communications events, and recognition through our logo, which is very powerful.” The four-person team at Responsible Wood communicates with their members via news releases, newsletters, quarterly bulletins, and regular social media updates. The association also attends trade shows and exhibitions throughout the year, providing keynote speakers for various events. Certificate holders have the chance to meet with Responsible Wood representatives face to face, and share their sustainably managed. That’s in comparison with a global average of around 12%.” Responsible Wood is currently undertaking a revision of the Sustainable Forest Management statement, to better match industry changes as they continue to unfold. The revision has been a two-and-a- half-year project that will soon end with the publishing of a new Australian Standard. Responsible Wood supports 35 individual company members across Australia and New Zealand from their headquarters in Brisbane, Queensland. Members come from all areas of the forest industry, including forest owners and managers, processors and manufacturers, suppliers, environmental and labour organisations, unions, social associates, and more. Membership is voluntary and is not required to obtain Responsible Wood certification, but does pose a number of benefits, Mr. Dorries explains. “Our support for members is cradle to grave and fees are based on the size