SDG 4: Quality education

Given the relevancy of forestry in rural areas, there is a strong role that forest owners can play in providing education and training to workers and local businesses and communities.

SDG 4: Quality education

Sustainable Development Goal

Education is crucial to improving people’s lives and sustainable development, and the key that will allow many other Sustainable Development Goals to be achieved.

When people have access to get quality education they can break from the cycle of poverty. Education therefore helps to reduce inequalities, promote gender equality, and empowers people to live healthier and more sustainable lives

Education can also play an essential role in raising awareness on the importance of forest resources for sustainable development.

Forests and SDG 4:

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

Free, equitable primary education helps local people in their forest activities. It empowers local actors, particularly indigenous people and other vulnerable groups. Local forest users learn to understand laws, regulations and policies, which facilitates their participation in society and the exercise of their rights.

Education and capacity building can also provide technical skills and knowledge on agroforestry, bioenergy, natural forest management, reduced impact logging, forest monitoring and plantation forestry. It can also concentrate skills and capacities associated with commercialization and integration into supply and value chains, markets for forest goods and services, managerial requirements such as finance and administration, enterprise development and leadership.

Education is also about the appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development.Local forest management is often rooted in local culture, knowledge and tradition, including long lasting customary rules.

Finally, it is important to communicate to the society at large, and younger generations in particular, the importance of the forestry and forest-based industries, while showcasing their innovative and sustainable character. This includes knowledge and awareness about the role of forest and wood products in carbon storage.

Related SDG target (abbreviated)

4.4 By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.

4.5 By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and children in vulnerable situations

4.7 By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles.

PEFC and SDG 4

PEFC contributes to education and capacity building on all levels, from forest management to the supply chain to consumers all over the world.

In addition to forest workers needing to be trained in safe working practices, PEFC requires that forest managers, contractors, employees and forest owners receive continuous training in in sustainable forest management, as a pre-requisite for applying responsible management practices. In turn, forest management needs contribute to research activities and data collection needed for sustainable forest management.

Within the context of the role of forestry in local economies, special consideration needs be given to new opportunities for training (and employment) of local people, including indigenous peoples, thereby extending capacity building

With the PEFC label being recognized by more than a quarter of all consumer, we also help build knowledge about sustainable wood-based products and contribute to a better understanding of sustainable lifestyles.

Selected PEFC criteria (abbreviated) and standards

6.3.4.2 The standard requires that working conditions shall be safe, and guidance and training in safe working practices shall be provided to all those assigned to a task in forest operations.

7.2.1 The standard requires that forest managers, contractors, employees and forest owners shall be required to keep up-to-date through continuous training in relation to sustainable forest management as a precondition for all management planning.

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.

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.

8.6.6 The standard requires that management shall give due regard to the role of forestry in local economies. Special consideration shall be given to new opportunities for training and employment of local people, including indigenous peoples.

8.6.7 The standard requires that forest management shall contribute to research activities.