Demand for wood and paper from certified well-managed forests is largely driven by business and government purchasing preferences, consumer interest in eco-labeled products, and ‘green building’ initiatives.
The motivations driving business and consumer interest in certified forest products are often aligned. Consumers choose certified products based on implicit expectations regarding forest products. Businesses respond to consumer expectations, but may also have broader strategies when it comes to certified wood and paper products. The consumer market page offers insight into the interaction of consumer and corporate demand for certified products.
A number of voluntary green building programs offer incentives for using environmentally friendly products and technologies. Some initiatives provide credits for the use of wood products from certified well-managed forests.
Beyond the previously mentioned market-drivers, wood is becoming increasingly recognized as a renewable, recyclable, biodegradable and non-toxic material. As a result, design professionals are selecting wood products from certified well-managed sources to both encourage good forest management and take advantage of the inherent environmental attributes of wood.
