Is Timber Sourced Sustainably?

Sustainability is a core value for us here at NORclad. If we fail to tackle sustainability now, we face the stark reality of permanently damaging our environment and depleting the resources that will prevent future generations from meeting their own survival needs. Therefore, a top priority for us is to ensure all timber we supply is sourced from well-managed and sustainable forests.

The UK Government requires either the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) to show sustainability in the production and supply of timber.

In this blog we discuss what is meant by ‘sustainability’, what these different certifications are and how we are working towards a more sustainable future for us all.

Understanding the Different Types of Sustainability

Sustainability is the avoidance of the depletion of natural resources to maintain an ecological social, economic and environmental balance. It allows resources to be used efficiently while providing a sufficient allocation for future generations.

Below we explain in more detail what is meant by environmental, economic and social sustainability.

Environmental Sustainability

Environmental is often the most understood pillar of sustainability. This is where companies and individuals take steps to reduce their impact on the environment, whether that means reducing their carbon footprint or using more efficient methods of production to use less resources.

Economical Sustainability

For a business to be economically sustainable they need to be making a profit. It also includes using resources available to invest in the development of new, efficient and sustainable production techniques that can allow for cost savings to be passed on to the business and its customers.

Social Sustainability

Social sustainability is having the support of the local community and stakeholders. This includes social investment of training employees throughout the supply chain in ethical and sustainable production methods, as well as developing community projects (such as investing in education and healthcare).

What is the FSC?

The FSC ensures environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable management of the world’s forests. Their certification can be found on millions of products worldwide, from toilet rolls and books to NORclad’s very own supply of timber cladding. Each label provides consumers with information about the origin of the materials used to make the finished product.

The FSC operates on 10 key principles –

Compliance with Laws and Principles
Worker’s Rights and Employment Conditions
Indigenous Peoples’ Rights
Community Relations
Benefits from the Forest
Environmental Values and Impact
Management Planning
Monitoring and Assessment
High Conservation Values
Implementation of Management Activities

What is the PEFC?

The PEFC centres mainly around efficient forest management and the development of social sustainability in timber production.

The PEFC’s development goals:

No Poverty
Zero Hunger
Good Health and Well-being
Quality Education
Gender Equality

Together these two organisations ensure that the trees are allowed to grow to an age of maturity where they can effectively filter CO2 out of the air, thus minimising the impact on the planet environmentally, socially and economically.

Sustainable Timber with NORclad

Here at NORclad, all our timber cladding products can be supplied with either FSC or PEFC certification. This means that we can supply you and every consumer with an unbroken path from forest to supplier, giving you peace of mind that your project is from a sustainable source that is helping both the people and the planet.

These certifications enable us to operate sustainably, allowing us to provide our consumers with the highest quality resources while keeping our social, economic and environmental impact to a minimum.

We also work with other associations to ensure the sustainability of our Timber; in 2022 we were finalists in the Wood Protection Association Awards.

If you are looking to utilise the natural beauty and incredible properties of timber for your next project, NORclad are ready to help. As a specialist manufacturer of wood cladding with over 40 years of experience, we are passionate about the use of one the world’s finest natural resources. To find out more about our products and services, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of our friendly team today.

You can also find out more about our environmental information here.

See more: A Beginner’s Guide to Sustainable Construction

See more: Understanding Timber Cladding Fire Regulations in the UK