Vol. 16 No. 2
Spring 2003

Guatemala's Certified Wood Market Goes Global

Photo by Labeeb Abboud/Rainforest
Alliance

Nearly a decade ago, as Guatemala's long, bitter civil war was coming to an uneasy end, the country took a gamble with it most valuable resource: the 5.1 million acre Maya Biosphere Reserve. Made up of lush, lowland forest in Petén State, the government granted land leases or "concessions" to community forest groups in the reserve, hoping that a sense of ownership would encourage responsible, long-term forest management while generating income. Today, it is commonly observed that the concession areas -- where low impact forestry takes place -- are better protected than the government managed national parks within the reserve.

The Rainforest Alliance has long supported community managed forestry, and first certified forest concessions in Guatemala in 1994. Since then, the organization's role has evolved to include technical assistance, recruiting of potential buyers and connecting them to certified wood producers. With growing public awareness of illegal logging practices, the demand for certified wood has grown. Buyers also understand that a certified supply means a sustainable supply, and they are turning to the Rainforest Alliance for help finding it.

With funding from USAID, and as part of a larger certified wood marketing project, in January the Rainforest Alliance held a certified wood buyers workshop in Guatemala to promote wood products from certified forest concessions. Nine buyers from the US and Europe attended -- including lumber companies, an architect and a representative from IKEA -- and 12 community and two industrial forest concessionaires from Guatemala.

Though interested buyers exist, and there is certified wood on the ground available to sell, it often takes a third party such as the Rainforest Alliance to bring the sides together. "We have proven that certification works. Using market forces, we engage responsible and committed companies that recognize the importance of sustainability, guaranteeing the future existence of both the producer and the buyer," says Abe Guillen, Market Development Manager with the Rainforest Alliance's TREES Program. With one eye on the supply end and one assessing demand, the Rainforest Alliance is sensitive to obstacles particular to each and can troubleshoot effectively. It was this expertise that contributed to the great success of the Guatemalan Buyers Roundtable, and left both community producers and the buyers asking for future sessions.

"This was a landmark opportunity to freely exchange information and open business opportunities," noted Guillen. "Buyers learned about non-traditional species available, producers navigated contracts. Everyone benefited." Since the workshop, the Rainforest Alliance has stayed engaged, resulting in an estimated $5 million in negotiated deals and opening new global avenues that connect supply and demand for certified wood.

-- Kristen Earls

• More information on Rainforest Alliance Certified wood products.
• Learn about how to become a member of the Rainforest Alliance.

The mission of the Rainforest Alliance is to protect ecosystems and the people and wildlife that depend on them by transforming land-use practices, business practices and consumer behavior. Companies, cooperatives and landowners that participate in our programs meet rigorous standards that conserve biodiversity and provide sustainable livelihoods.