Title: While we wait for EUDR - what could be done to get ready?

Author(s): Worm, Loa Dalgaard

Description: The EU Deforestation Regulation is entering a period of uncertainty, with discussions around timing and implementation still ongoing. Recorded just one day after a major announcement about a possible additional delay, this episode of Forest for the Future focuses on what companies, authorities, and supply chain actors can do while we wait for EUDR.

Rather than revisiting headlines, the conversation moves into the practical realities of readiness. Drawing on insights from a high-level FSC-hosted webinar, the episode explores what competent authorities are likely to check in audits, what due diligence looks like beyond documentation, and where companies are struggling most in practice. You’ll hear directly from enforcement authorities with hands-on experience, legal experts unpacking why uniform implementation matters, and global perspectives on how producer countries and supply chains are adapting.

The episode also looks at why systems such as FSC remain essential during this waiting period. Certification, traceability tools, and risk assessments are discussed not just as compliance mechanisms, but as ways to build credible due diligence systems and prepare for long-term forest-positive impact.

While EUDR may be delayed or debated, the direction of travel is clear. This episode offers concrete guidance on how to use this time productively — to strengthen systems, reduce risk, and be better prepared for what comes next.

Featuring insights from:

– EU Commission: Gabor Lovasi

– Forest Stewardship Council (FSC): Trevor Armel and Matteo Mascolo

– EUDR Dutch Competent Authority: Jessica van Zetten

– ClientEarth: Michael Rice

– World Bank: Melvin Spreij

Title: Episode 82: Reclaimed Materials & Circular Models in FSC: What’s Next for Chain of Custody? (Episode 2 of 2)

Author(s): Worm, Loa Dalgaard

Description: In this second episode of our two-part mini-series on the revision of the FSC Chain of Custody standard, we turn our focus toward one of the most forward-looking elements of the revision: reclaimed materials and circular business models. Circularity is rapidly becoming a central part of how companies think about sustainability, and FSC is now taking major steps to make sure the certification system can support models such as leasing, take-back, repair, and reuse.

Host Loa Worm is joined by Morten Brodde, Senior Specialist and Analyst at the FSC Circularity Hub, and Doug Patterson, Director at Renewable Strategies and member of the Chain of Custody Working Group. Together they explore what FSC is doing to enable circularity, why this transition is happening now, and how new requirements on reclaimed materials could reshape the experience of certificate holders and create new opportunities in the market.

The discussion covers the types of circular models FSC is evaluating, the challenges of bringing them into a certification system, and what companies may need to adapt in order to meet future expectations. The conversation also touches on pre-consumer wood, the proposals under consultation, and the debate around whether salvaged wood from urban contexts should be included in the standard.

This episode provides a clear, practical overview of how circularity may become a bigger part of FSC — and what stakeholders should pay attention to as the first round of consultation opens.

Title: Episode 81: What Is Next in FSC Chain of Custody? A Glimpse Into the Revision Process (Episode 1 of 2)

Author(s): Worm, Loa Dalgaard

Description: In this episode of Forest for the Future, we explore one of the most significant ongoing developments in the FSC system: the full revision of the FSC Chain of Custody standard. This framework ensures that materials carrying the FSC label are tracked responsibly through every step of the supply chain, and the current revision may introduce some of the most meaningful updates in more than a decade.

Host Loa Worm is joined by César Gonçalves, Programme Manager for Controlled Wood and Chain of Custody at FSC and lead on the revision process, and Emily White, Policy Manager for the same area focusing especially on social requirements. Together they unpack why FSC is revising the standard now, how topics for revision are selected, and which of the proposed changes may have the biggest impact on companies, auditors and the system as a whole.

The conversation explores topics including simplification of the system, increased use of risk-based approaches, the potential merging of several standards into one, expanded flexibility for multi-site and group certification, updates to the treatment of pre-consumer materials, and a strengthened approach to workers’ rights. Emily provides a deep dive into the evolution of the social requirements, why further alignment with global labour expectations is needed, and how FSC aims to balance ambition with practicality for companies.

The episode also guides listeners through the current public consultation: how to participate, what to expect from the process, and how stakeholder input directly shapes the next iteration of the standard.

If you would like to participate in the consultation, find out more here: https://connect.fsc.org/chain-custody-certification/revision-chain-custody-standards

This is the first of two episodes on the Chain of Custody revision. In the next episode, we turn to reclaimed materials and FSC’s work to support circular business models with high innovation potential.

Title: Episode 80 – Circular economy in a volatile world: Building resilience through circular systems

Author(s): Worm, Loa Dalgaard

Description: In this special episode of Forest for the Future, we dive into the intersection of circular economy, forest resources, and global resilience.

Host Loa Worm, in her role as leader of the FSC Circularity Hub, convenes an expert panel to discuss how circular thinking can strengthen resource security in an era of geopolitical volatility.

Guests include Luisa Santiago from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Nina Grießhammer, Sebastian Mandiola of Arauco, and FSC’s own Fabian Farkas—each bringing a unique perspective on how industries, NGOs, and certification systems must evolve to drive a regenerative, bio-based future.

The discussion touches on everything from the 45% of emissions linked to production and consumption patterns to the urgent need to use wood more wisely and the pivotal role of FSC in enabling circular transformation.

This episode is an honest, forward-looking conversation about how collaboration, innovation, and leadership can turn the circular economy from theory into action.

Topics Covered

• The key role of forestry and agriculture in building economic resilience

• How companies like Arauco are turning circular principles into practice

• The risks of overreliance on virgin wood—and how to rethink its use

• Policy gaps and the need for better alignment on circularity incentives

• The role of FSC’s Circularity Hub as a driver of systems change

Title: Episode 79: Next stop - circular economy in FSC? Legislative drivers, principles and how FSC connects

Author(s): Worm, Loa Dalgaard

Description: Featuring: Morten Brodde, Senior Specialist, FSC Circularity Hub, FSC International & Sidse Jensen, Senior Specialist, FSC Circularity Hub, FSC International

In this episode of Forest for the Future, we explore FSC’s expanding role in the circular economy—from our current contributions to the opportunities ahead. Host Loa Worm is joined by Morten Brodde and Sidse Jensen from the FSC Circularity Hub for a deep dive into how FSC certification aligns with emerging circular economy legislation and what that means for forest-based value chains worldwide.

We explore:

• What the circular economy really means in a forest context

• How FSC-certified materials already support circular sourcing

• What 75+ national action plans are doing to drive global change

• Where FSC standards can evolve: reuse, leasing, take-back, and beyond

• How FSC can better address social impacts—from informal workers to consumer empowerment

Whether you're a sustainability expert, supply chain leader, or policymaker, this episode delivers key insights into how FSC can help shape a more circular, equitable future.

Title: Episode 78: Greenwashing and FSC: Is there a limit to what you can say?

Author(s): Worm, Loa Dalgaard

Description: Featuring: Trevor Armel, Marketing Director, FSC International and Ana-Maria Băban, Acting Commercial Director, FSC International

In this episode of Forest for the Future, we get real about greenwashing—and about how even well-intentioned sustainability claims can fall into murky territory. Loa Worm is joined by Trevor Armel, Marketing Director, FSC International and Ana-Maria Băban, Acting Commercial Director, FSC International, for a candid discussion on what companies can —and can’t—say when promoting their work on sustainability in general and on FSC in particural. And then we dive deep into how upcoming EU legislation could shape the rules for everyone.

We explore:

• What counts as greenwashing vs. honest communication

• Why communicating FSC’s value can be tricky – even for us

• Examples of what companies can and cannot claim publicly about their FSC products

• How partnerships with high-impact brands are evaluated

• The potential effects of the EU Green Claims Directive and the Empowering Consumers Directive

• How FSC is preparing to support certificate holders in navigating this evolving space

Whether you're in sustainability, marketing, or certification, this episode provides practical insights on the risks and responsibilities of talking about impact.

Title: Episode 77: Demystifying FSC Chain of Custody audits, Featuring César Gonçalves, Policy Manager for FSC CoC/CW, FSC International

Author(s): Worm, Loa Dalgaard

Description: In this episode of Forest for the Future, we go back to basics and dive deep into one of the most common—and critical—questions in FSC: How do Chain of Custody audits actually work?

Host Loa Worm is joined by César Gonçalves, Policy Manager for CoC/CW at FSC International. With experience both as an FSC auditor and a certificate holder and as the current content owner for the FSC CoC standards inside FSC, César offers a rare tripple perspective on what really happens during an FSC audit.

💬 Tune in as we explore:

• What companies need to do before and during an audit

• The role and purpose of FSC audits and what’s at stake

• Common mistakes and how to avoid them

• What auditors are really looking for—and how to prepare

• Why transparency and simplicity are key to success

Whether you're preparing for your first audit or just want to better understand how FSC ensures the integrity of its system, this episode is packed with real-world insights and practical advice.

Title: Episode 76: Exploring FSC’s Strategy on GIS-Based Technologies

Author(s): Worm, Loa Dalgaard

Description: Join us as we speak with Scot McQueen, Senior Technology Officer at FSC International, about FSC’s strategy to increase the use of GIS-based technologies. Scot explains the key steps in implementing this strategy, details our exciting new partnership with ESRI, and introduces our revamped platform for uploading boundary shape files. This platform will help us create a comprehensive map of FSC-certified forest areas, which is crucial for monitoring and compliance. But it also will help us unlock our ability to support forest manager around the world get access to GIS driven data layers and analytics as an integral part of their FSC certification.

We also discuss how GIS technology will aid compliance with regulations like the EUDR and other upcoming legislations, and our aspirational goals for the next year. Tune in to learn how FSC is leveraging GIS technology to enhance sustainable forestry.

Title: Episode 75: The Detail is in What We Measure: Making Impact Measurement a Reality

Author(s): Worm, Loa Dalgaard

Description: In this episode, we explore FSC's journey towards outcome-oriented approaches in sustainable forestry. Franck Trolliet and Arildo Dias share insights into how FSC is transitioning to an impact-focused system, ensuring that its standards lead to measurable and meaningful outcomes.

Join us as we delve into the new concept note for Outcome Orientation in the FSC system and how impact evaluation will transform sustainable forest management. Learn about the indicators being developed to track carbon, biodiversity, social, and economic outcomes and how GIS and remote sensing technologies play a pivotal role in this transformation.

We also discuss the potential challenges stakeholders may face during this shift and the long-term vision for outcome orientation in FSC. This episode sheds light on how FSC plans to reinforce its mission of responsible forestry while responding to increasing demands for data-driven proof of impact.

Key Discussion Points:

• What does "Outcome Orientation" mean, and why is it crucial for FSC?

• How is this approach different from traditional certification methods?

• The role of new indicators in measuring forest management impacts.

• How GIS and remote sensing technologies enhance data collection.

• The implications for national standards and global procedures.

• The future of FSC’s Verified Impact certification and its synergy with Outcome Indicators.

Tune in to discover how FSC’s focus on impact measurement is shaping the future of responsible forestry and the broader field of sustainability.

Title: Episode 74 – EU Taxonomy – The vehicle behind green finance? Featuring Asger Olsen, International Woodland Company, and Ondrej Tarabus, FSC International

Author(s): Worm, Loa Dalgaard

Description: In this episode of Forest for the Future, we explore a piece of legislation that has the potential to reshape how businesses approach sustainability: the EU Taxonomy. We sit down with Asger Olsen, Global Head of Climate Biodiversity and ESG at International Woodland Company, and Ondrej Tarabus, Senior Advisor for Verified Impact at FSC International, to break down the complexities of the EU Taxonomy and what it means for sustainable forestry and climate action.

Join us as we dive deep into how this legislation connects financial incentives to the green transition, and why it's essential for companies—both within and beyond the EU—to understand its requirements. We also discuss the broader implications of this legislation for biodiversity, eco-system services, and the role of FSC in driving sustainable practices globally.

Topics we cover include:

• What is the EU Taxonomy, and why should we care?

• How the EU Taxonomy integrates with other major legislations like the EUDR and CSRD.

• The global impact of the EU Taxonomy on companies, even outside of the EU.

• How FSC is aligning with the EU Taxonomy to stay relevant and promote sustainable forest management.

Listen in as we unpack the challenges and opportunities presented by this landmark legislation!