SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATION

he indicator in question is part of the core set of SDG indicators, specifically Target 15.2.1 – 'Progress towards sustainable forest management', which includes forest area certified under independently verified forest management certification schemes (UN SDG Database). The foundation of international certification systems lies in the shared interest and promotion of initiatives and actions by governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the general public, and companies, aimed at protecting forest ecosystems and ensuring the legal and sustainable use of woody biomass.
The Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) is a non-governmental organization established in 1993 in the aftermath of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro, with the mission of promoting responsible forest management globally. The other certification scheme, the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes™ (PEFC™), is based on the Criteria and Indicators initially defined during the Ministerial Conferences on the Protection of Forests in Europe held in Helsinki (1993) and Lisbon (1998). These conferences launched the so-called "Pan-European Process," a high-level political initiative aimed at ensuring the protection and sustainable management of European forests.
In Italy, the first FSC certification was granted in 1997 to the Magnifica Comunità di Fiemme in Trentino. The first PEFC certification followed in 2004, awarded to the Regional PEFC Association of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, which represented 38 forest owners covering a total area of 67,348 hectares.

As of 31 December 2024, the total forest area certified under the FSC® scheme reached 115,118 hectares, covering 32 certified entities across 10 Italian regions, diverse in both location and type. Notable new certifications include the Municipality of Acceglio (CN, 496.30 hectares), the Community Cooperative "Ecosistema Comunale di Castell’Azzara" (GR, 99.73 hectares), the Union of Municipalities of Amiata Val D'Orcia (2,617 hectares), and the Union of Municipalities of Pratomagno (4,074 hectares). At the regional level, the distribution of certified areas is primarily concentrated in the North (Trentino-Alto Adige, Lombardy, Veneto, and Friuli-Venezia Giulia) and the Center (Tuscany). Since 2023, the establishment of a new group certification by Etifor s.r.l. Società Benefit has been significant, with its certified area growing from just under 100 hectares at its inception to approximately 2,800 hectares by the end of that year. Furthermore, in 2024, the certificate for "Compagnia le foreste del Benso" (SV, 623 hectares) was reactivated following a suspension period required for documentation updates.

Finally, there is a confirmed increase in companies' interest in supporting FSC-certified forest areas, driven by investments in Ecosystem Services (ES). This trend reflects the positive outcome of verification procedures for Ecosystem Services by certified entities and external stakeholders interested in nature-based solutions (NBS), which are increasingly viewed as effective tools for addressing climate and economic crises. The five identified and quantifiable categories of Ecosystem Services are: carbon sequestration and storage, biodiversity conservation, watershed services, soil conservation, and recreation and ecotourism.
In 2024, the number of forest managers who verified the positive impacts of their active management on Ecosystem Services rose to 19. During the same year, ecosystem services verification was extended to 73% of FSC-certified forest areas in Italy—totaling nearly 84,000 hectares (a 41% increase)—across seven regions: Trentino-Alto Adige, Veneto, Lombardy, Piedmont, Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna, and Sardinia. Additionally, the number of verified positive impact "claims" reached 79 units in 2024. This confirms that nature-derived benefits are highly valued by forest managers and civil society, offering opportunities for companies and partners to invest as sponsors.
Since December 2021, FSC Italy has also been engaged in reviewing and updating the national forest management standard. This new standard is tailored to the specific needs and opportunities of the Italian forestry landscape and comprises 184 indicators covering environmental, social, and economic interests. The system mandates standard review sessions at regular intervals, typically every five years, to ensure alignment with national contexts and global challenges. Furthermore, 2024 represented a milestone for FSC Chain of Custody (CoC) certification in Italy, with a 6.2% increase compared to the previous year, reaching 3,733 active certificates and over 4,800 production sites. This reflects the steady growth that has made Italy a leader in Europe.

As with the FSC scheme, an increase in PEFC-certified forest area was observed during 2024 (+7.8%), extending to 14 regions with at least one certified forest area. Trentino-Alto Adige continues to lead the ranking of regions with the largest certified surface area, followed by Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Piedmont. Veneto remains the region with the highest number of certificates (326), followed by Lombardy (263) and Trentino-Alto Adige (234). In terms of new participants, 2024 highlights that Piedmont recorded the highest growth (+70 new companies), ahead of Lombardy (+52) and Trentino-Alto Adige (+42). In Central-Southern Italy, Tuscany stands out with 87 certified companies, 23 more than in 2023. Key sectors driving this growth include construction and wood packaging, with significant increases in panel production (+26.6%), sawmills (+16%), and glulam (laminated wood) (+28.7%), as well as carpentry (+43%), flooring (+40%), and fixtures (+71%). Group certification played a vital role, representing 53.4% of new memberships in 2024—a model that simplifies certification access for small businesses. Regarding ecosystem services, 15 new certificates were issued in 2024, 14 of which are linked to carbon offsetting and one to biodiversity protection. Overall, PEFC ecosystem services certificates now cover 27,856 hectares, demonstrating growing interest in biodiversity conservation and the promotion of forest-based tourism and well-being. One of the most significant projects is the support from Carte d'Or for biodiversity certification in the Cansiglio area, managed by Veneto Agricoltura.

The number of companies with PEFC Chain of Custody (CoC) certification recorded a growth of 16.8% in 2024, with 236 new members, bringing the total to 1,585 companies. This increase in certifications reflects the growing awareness of the importance of responsible and sustainable forest management (SFM) and the traceability of raw materials. Chain of Custody certification ensures transparency across all stages of the value chain, from the forest to the finished product. Wooden construction and packaging have emerged as key sectors, with significant growth in the panel production, sawmill, and laminated wood categories.
 

It is worth noting that new PEFC Chain of Custody standards were introduced in 2020, further strengthening sustainability criteria and supporting global forest conservation. Furthermore, PEFC aligns with the vision of the United Nations 2030 Agenda, aiming to contribute tangibly to the achievement of the SDGs through the promotion of sustainable forest management (SFM), support for responsible and transparent supply chains, the protection of biodiversity, and the valorization of ecosystem services.
Forests represent a strategic resource for humanity, ensuring livelihoods for over a billion people and providing food, wood, and renewable energy resources. They play a critical role in mitigating the effects of climate change, safeguarding water quality, and offering shared spaces for well-being, health, and socialization within communities