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FSC Ecosystem Services International Forum: A Step Towards Nature-Positive Strategies

In a bid to promote international forest certification, the FSC Japan (Forest Stewardship Council Japan) held the esteemed "FSC Ecosystem Services International Forum" on March 28, 2025, in Tokyo. The event gathered 92 participants from various sectors, including forestry companies, NGOs, governmental agencies, and corporations engaged in manufacturing, retail, and more. Attendees convened to discuss the pressing need for transparency and accountability in nature-based business practices.

Keynote Patterns

The opening keynote was delivered by Naoki Adachi, President of Response Ability Inc., who is renowned for his expertise in biodiversity and business. Adachi emphasized that achieving a nature-positive approach requires active participation from companies across the globe. Notably, he highlighted that over half of the world's GDP is heavily reliant on natural capital — making immediate action towards nature-positive strategies critical for corporations.

Further insights were provided by Rocky Iskandar and Maria Wowro from the FSC International Secretariat. They discussed the necessity of high-quality primary information to avoid greenwashing. Iskandar and Wowro introduced FSC's voluntary, supplementary ecosystem services verification tools, which can measure and validate the benefits derived from forests. These tools are adaptable for reporting in line with frameworks such as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and align with various disclosure frameworks like the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), and the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD).

Attendees were encouraged to explore presentation materials and videos from the forum, available through the links provided in the event report.

Panel Discussion: Unpacking Ecosystem Services

The latter part of the forum featured a dynamic panel discussion led by Maria Wowro, along with distinguished panelists including Tetsuya Matsuoka, Deputy Director of the Social Value Creation Promotion Department at Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Fumiaki Nagaishi, a lecturer at Rikkyo University and President of Ecological Path Co., and Taichi Sato, Secretary-General of the Minamisanriku Forest Management Council and Executive Director of Saku Co., Ltd. The theme centered on the visualization and valuation of forest ecosystem services to foster a supply chain that acknowledges and rewards the multifaceted functions of forests.

Participants engaged in lively discussions sharing challenges within their respective industries, paving the way for future cooperation towards a more sustainable economy. Roundtable discussions were held across eight tables, allowing for deeper exchanges and collaborative problem-solving.

Feedback from participants highlighted the forum's role as a valuable opportunity to share insights and challenges across industries. Several attendees expressed interest in further details about the FSC ecosystem services verification tools and examples from international case studies.

FSC Japan: Committed to Nature-Positive Initiatives

Moving forward, FSC Japan remains dedicated to fostering the adoption of FSC certification as a crucial mechanism for contributing to nature-positive initiatives. The organization aims to actively disseminate information and best practices, encouraging companies and institutions to embrace sustainable forest management.

This forum marks an essential step towards integrating ecological considerations within business frameworks, urging a collective commitment to preserving biodiversity for future generations.

Event Overview

• - Name: FSC Ecosystem Services International Forum
• - Date: March 28, 2025
• - Location: Plaza F, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo
• - Hosted by: FSC Japan
• - Main Programs: Keynote speeches, presentations from FSC secretariat staff, expert panel discussions, and roundtable discussions.

About FSC Japan

FSC Japan operates under the auspices of the Forest Stewardship Council, a non-profit organization founded in 1994. Its mission is to promote sustainable forest management practices that harmonize environmental protection, social benefits, and economic viability. As of 2020, certified forests encompassed over 200 million hectares, with more than 60,000 organizations meeting the FSC standards.

For additional information, visit the FSC Japan official website and follow their social media channels for the latest updates on sustainability initiatives and events.