Key Points of Controversy Among Forest Certification Schemes

The YPFC Key Controversies Matrix highlights differences in how forest certification schemes address key controversial issues. The schemes compared are those that have been applied to forest management in the US and Canada, including the American Tree Farm System (ATFS), the Canadian Standards Association (CSA), the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forests Certification schemes (PEFC). The identification of controversial issues is based on extensive research on the development of forest certification in the US, Canada and worldwide.

All of the forest certification schemes addressed are designed to cover a full suite of issues relating to responsible forest management and credible certification processes. We have provided this analysis of key controversial issues upon request, as a simplified road map for those interested in understanding the crux of the ongoing conflict among supporters of the different schemes. For a more complete analysis, please refer to the full report Assessing USGBC's forest policy options.

Questions and comments may be directed to constance.mcdermott@yale.edu and/or benjamin.cashore@yale.edu