Leading Australian retailers and manufacturers recently participated in the FSC Forest Walk at HVP Plantations in Victoria, an event designed to provide an in-depth understanding of FSC-certified forestry practices.
Organised by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and hosted by HVP Plantations, the event underscored FSC’s role in ensuring responsible forest management and maintaining sustainable supply chains.
FSC certification is widely recognised as the global benchmark for responsible forestry, ensuring the protection of biodiversity, the rights of Indigenous communities, and the long-term sustainability of forests.
According to the council, Australia has more than 1.1 million hectares of FSC-certified forests and over 260 FSC-certified organisations, reflecting the country’s growing commitment to ethical and sustainable sourcing.
Representatives from Woolworths Group, Coles Group, Bunnings, Visy, Essity, Kimberly-Clark, and Australia Post attended the event to gain firsthand knowledge of FSC’s certification standards.
These businesses rely on FSC-certified materials for packaging, furniture, and household products, reinforcing their commitments to responsible sourcing and environmental sustainability.
Julian Westcott, Account Manager at Kimberly-Clark Professional, an FSC chain of custody certificate holder, emphasised the impact of the experience.
“Understanding the FSC system in a real-world setting was an invaluable experience. Witnessing FSC-certified forest management in action strengthens our confidence in the integrity of the materials we source and highlights the importance of FSC certification in supporting sustainability goals,” Westcott said.
Coles Group, an FSC promotional licence holder, highlighted the significance of experiencing FSC-certified forestry firsthand.
“Being on the ground and speaking directly with the HVP Plantations team managing these forests gave us a much deeper appreciation for the rigorous work behind FSC certification,” said Emma Buchanan, Coles Own Brand Lead Sustainable Packaging Manager.
“It’s one thing to read about sustainability standards, but witnessing them in action drives home why FSC certification is so important to our business and the products we offer consumers.”
HVP Plantations, the first forestry organisation in Australia to achieve FSC certification, marked two decades of FSC-certified operations in 2024.
Mick Evans, HVP Plantations Northern Region General Manager, reiterated the importance of FSC’s role in guiding responsible forestry.
“HVP was delighted to take part in the FSC Forest Walk — a great opportunity to engage with others in our value chain and share how we grow and harvest our products responsibly. Our 20 years of certification reflects our enduring commitment to stewardship and sustainable plantation forestry,” Evans stated.
FSC ANZ CEO Melanie Robertson addressed attendees, reinforcing FSC’s critical role in global forestry management as the organisation marks 30 years of impact.
FSC-certified forests provide a solution that balances environmental conservation, social responsibility, and economic viability,” Robertson said.
“The presence of so many leading organisations today highlights the critical role businesses play in supporting responsible forestry.”
