Kyushu University Tropical Agriculture Research Center
Natural Resource Management Laboratory (hyakumura laboratory)

Seminar Report (May 2019, 5)

Seminar Report (May 2019, 5)

New trends in timber supply chains in the SDG era
~ What is timber due diligence for the sustainable product market? ~

Efforts towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are becoming more and more common in various fields. Many of the SDGs are to be achieved by 2030, and Goal 15, which is related to forests, aims to halt deforestation by promoting sustainable forest management by 2020.

Goal 12, promoting sustainable timber procurement and consumption, is also important, and it is important to ensure that timber procurement and consumption that carries the risk of contributing to deforestation and forest degradation is avoided, in other words, to implement due diligence (DD).

The concept of due diligence has already become widespread as a measure to avoid risks such as environmental, social and human rights violations associated with corporate acquisitions and the procurement of mineral resources, and its implementation will become essential in the wood sector in the future. And although the risks that arise differ depending on whether they are upstream or downstream in the supply chain, all companies are basically required to implement due diligence.

The purpose of this seminar was to provide an understanding of risk information and how to conduct DD not only to those who directly procure wood from both within Japan and overseas, but also to those who use wood and are involved in the production of wooden building materials such as furniture, musical instruments, and interior materials, as well as in architecture and construction.The seminar began with an explanation of the basics, such as what DD is and what the risks that affect deforestation and forest degradation are, and then discussed ways to procure and consume wood and wood products in a more sustainable manner.

【Webinar Summary】
Date:October 2019, 5 (Wed), 22:13-30:17(JST)
venue:Waseda University Ono Memorial Hall
(1-6-1 Nishi-Waseda, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Building 27, 2nd basement floor)

【Program】

[Sponsored]
Waseda University Institute for Environmental Studies W-BRIDGE Project, Kyushu University Tropical Agriculture Research Center, International environmental NGO Friends of the Earth Japan

This seminar was held as part of the Waseda University Center for Environmental Studies' W-BRIDGE project, "Promoting sustainable procurement of timber and timber products (fair wood procurement) toward achieving the SDGs."

Related Links

Past webinar (held on June 2020, 6)Supply chain management for sustainable timber procurement: Delivering risk-free timber products to end usersThe report ofCLICK HERE .

Past seminar (held on December 2019, 12)What will happen to the world's forests with ESG investment? Will deforestation stop if the flow of money changes?The report ofCLICK HERE .

Past seminar (held on December 2018, 4)What is responsible timber procurement and product manufacturing in the ESG era? - Considering timber due diligence to achieve the SDGsThe report ofCLICK HERE .

Past seminar (held on December 2017, 4)Global Illegal Logging Issues and Wood Consumption in Japan: Toward Effective Implementation of the Clean Wood Act" This is a report. For details,CLICK HERE .

The announcement was madeTimber Due Diligence Guidance" and "Timber Due Diligence HandbookIsCLICK HERE .