A clear message for the global stage | Policy Conference 2024
12 December 2024
The forestry industry must shout more loudly on the international stage, and to make its voice heard at global gatherings like the COPs.
That was the clear message from Ross Hampton, Executive Director of the International Sustainable Forestry Coalition (ISFC) - created in 2023 to “bring together a group of the world’s leading forestry companies to work collectively to help solve some of the globe’s greatest environmental challenges”.
Mr Hampton said after his visit to COP29 on climate change in Azerbaijan: “So many of the pavilions were decked out with sustainable forest products - everyone knows it’s the future.
“It’s time for us to move from just providing the materials for others to have conversations to being centre-stage ourselves. At the moment, people can’t see the forestry for the trees - and we are not terrifically good at telling our story.”
He urged the industry to deliver a more upbeat message and told the forestry students in the room that they had chosen their future career well.
