More than 2.4 million hectares of Australian and New Zealand forest are now certified under FSC’s ‘gold standard,’ which together make up a share of over 160 million hectares now certified globally.
It comes as a number of Australia’s largest retailers and brands, including Big W, Hallmark, Officeworks, Coles Group, ALDI and WWF Australia, get ready to participate in FSC Forest Week 2025, rolling out in-store promotions, social media campaigns and customer workshops to spotlight the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) label and encourage shoppers to choose responsibly sourced products.
The campaign, running from 20–26 September, invites retailers, NGOs, forest managers, and consumers across Australia and New Zealand to “Do One Thing for Forests” and collectively drive responsible forestry practices. “FSC Forest Week is about turning awareness into action,” said Melanie Robertson, CEO of FSC Australia and New Zealand.
“From forest managers caring for FSC-certified forests, to businesses sourcing and stocking responsibly, to consumers choosing certified products, every action makes a difference. Together, our community of certificate holders, members, licence holders and conscious consumers is driving responsible forestry to ensure forests thrive for generations to come.”
Wood Central understands that consumers of certified products can look for the FSC trademark on timber, paper, and wood-derived products. Whilst businesses are encouraged to share their commitments online using the hashtag #FSCForestWeek. Events during the week include webinars on sustainable forest management, virtual tours of certified sites, and retailer-hosted workshops that demonstrate product choices that protect habitats and support local communities.
The campaign comes after New Zealand retailers and brand owners, including Mitre 10, The Warehouse, Bunnings NZ, NXP, Woolworths Group (Countdown), and the New Zealand Green Building Council, last month participated in the country’s first FSC Forest Walk – visiting the FSC certified forest where the The Chronicles of Narnia and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power were filmed.
“It was a fantastic experience to learn about the history of the forest block and how it’s managed, and to see FSC principles in action,” said Simon Rice, Product Risk and Compliance Coordinator at Bunnings NZ. “It was also great to see how the forest is open to other commercial ventures, and how the forest management company works collaboratively with each entity to ensure the forest flourishes as a shared resource. That level of coordination was really impressive and added another layer of insight to the day.”
