SDG 16: Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Sustainable Development Goal

Peaceful, just, and inclusive societies are necessary to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Yet, persecution, injustice, and abuse still run rampant and is tearing at the very fabric of civilization. We must ensure that we have strong institutions, global standards of justice, and a commitment to peace everywhere.

Peaceful and inclusive societies are built on a foundation of sound governance – where resources are managed equitably for the benefit of all, rule of law prevails, and the legitimacy of those laws is broadly accepted. This understanding is reflected by SDG 16, which focuses on transparency, participation, accountability, government coordination, and enhanced capacity. 

Forests and SDG 16

Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies

A healthy forest sector can play a critical role in preventing conflict and distress migration, and in building peace. Forest producer organizations have proved themselves to be strong builders of democracy. In many cases, they ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making, fostering economic growth and fair income distribution. 

A commitment by the forest sector to maintain high standards of ethical business conduct throughout the value chain is also essential. Frameworks that promote legal and responsible business practices and ensure forest legality, promoting business transparency and eliminating forced and child labour from supply chains through effective controls and remedies also contribute to SDG 16.

How PEFC contributes to SDG 16

Fostering multi-stakeholder, participatory, and inclusive processes are at the heart of PEFC’s work - from our institutional set-up, standard development, and forest certification requirements to our practical work on the ground.

Standard setting is governed by the key principles of inclusive stakeholder engagement, balanced representation, consensus, improvement, and transparency, promoting a process that facilitates a better understanding between potentially differing viewpoints. Similarly, our members are multi-stakeholder organizations, offering participating interested parties with a fair, ongoing, and appropriate possibility to influence the organisation’s decision making.

In forest management, we require compliance with international and national law, including legal, property, land tenure, customary, traditional, and human rights, and other relevant environmental and social regulations. Anti-corruption measures must be implemented, and conflict timber is prohibited from entering PEFC-certified products.

We also engage in a wide range of projects at local level to help build strong, inclusive institutions on the ground.

Selected PEFC criteria (abbreviated) and standards

Sustainable Forest Management, PEFC ST 1003

6.3.1.1 The standard requires that the organisation shall identify and have access to the legislation applicable to its forest management and determine how these compliance obligations apply to the organisation.

6.3.1.2 The standard requires that the organisation shall comply with applicable local, national and international legislation on forest management, including but not limited to forest management practices; nature and environmental protection; protected and endangered species; property, tenure and land-use rights for indigenous peoples, local communities or other affected stakeholders; health, labour and safety issues; anti-corruption and the payment of applicable royalties and taxes.

6.3.1.3 The standard requires that where no anti-corruption legislation exists, the organisation must take alternative anti-corruption measures appropriate to the risk of corruption. 

6.3.1.4 The standard requires that measures shall be implemented to address protection of the forest from unauthorised activities such as illegal logging, illegal land use, illegally initiated fires, and other illegal activities.

6.3.2.1 The standard requires that property rights, tree ownership and land tenure arrangements shall be clearly defined, documented and established for the relevant management unit. Likewise, legal, customary and traditional rights related to the forest land shall be clarified, recognised and respected.

6.3.2.2 The standard requires that forest practices and operations shall be conducted in recognition of the established framework of legal, customary and traditional rights such as outlined in ILO 169 and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which shall not be infringed upon without the free, prior and informed consent of the holders of the rights, including the provision of compensation where applicable.

6.3.2.3 The standard requires that forest practices and operations shall respect human rights as defined by the Universal Declaration on Human Rights.

6.3.3.1 The standard requires that forest practices and operations shall comply with fundamental ILO conventions.

7.3.1 The standard requires that effective communication and consultation with local communities, indigenous peoples and other stakeholders relating to sustainable forest management shall be provided.

7.4.1 The standard requires that appropriate mechanisms are in place for resolving complaints and disputes relating to forest management operations, land use rights and work conditions.

8.6.4 The standard requires that management shall promote the long-term health and well-being of communities within or adjacent to the forest management area, where appropriate supported by engagement with local communities and indigenous peoples.

8.6.5 The standard requires that the best use shall be made of forest-related experience and traditional knowledge, innovations and practices such as those of forest owners, NGOs, local communities, and indigenous peoples. Equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the utilization of such knowledge shall be encouraged.

PEFC 1001:2017 – Standard setting