By Dr Ronald Heath, Forestry South Africa's Director of Research and Protection

COP16 is underway in Colombia, with land use as a central theme. In this context, South Africa's forestry sector is pivotal in delivering on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including life on land, climate action, responsible consumption and production, decent work and economic growth, and partnerships.

As an anchor tenant in several rural areas, the South African forestry industry optimises land use and management. It ensures responsible environmental stewardship, biodiversity preservation, rural development, and the source of renewable harvested wood products that feed into countless industries.

These actions contribute to achieving national climate and biodiversity targets, support livelihoods and alleviate poverty. Linked to this are human health and wellbeing, and inclusive participation.

Balancing act

Addressing these issues requires a delicate balance where humanity's immediate needs are met without compromising those of future generations. Forestry companies bring together the three spheres of sustainability – environmental, social and economic – at the grassroots level.

Forestry builds enterprises and opens job opportunities and rural economic growth. Added to this are the various social initiatives where the sector actively contributes to infrastructure projects, food security, and access to education, health, and welfare in rural communities, which are often lacking.

One such initiative is She is Forestry, which promotes the role of women in forestry. As a champion for gender equality and inclusion, It provides a mentorship network inspiring the next generation of women living in the rural communities neighbouring our members.

Nature-positive solutions

Plantations are not limited to commercial trees harvested for timber, pulp and paper, and poles. Over 20% of the forestry landscape remains unplanted. A bird's view of a forestry landscape will show a 'patchwork' of timber crops and grasslands, wetlands and indigenous woodlands. They offer sanctuary corridors and habitats for threatened and protected plants and animals, contributing to biodiversity conservation and sustaining vital ecological functions.

FSA's Forestry Explained interactive map displays some conservation initiatives underway within the forestry landscape. These include several proclaimed nature reserves home to many rare, endemic or threatened species and programmes focusing on monitoring water quality or rehabilitating high-altitude wetlands. Two such projects are the Blue Swallow programme at the 118-hectare Roelton Nature Reserve and MTO's Cycad conservation initiative.

The sector's environmental and socio-economic impact is verified by forestry certification bodies. Over 80% of South Africa's plantations are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) through the Sustainable African Forest Assurance Scheme. Their principles espouse the three spheres of sustainability and pave the way for the forestry sector to contribute to South Africa's SDGs.

Partnerships

To fully integrate the forestry sector into South Africa's SDG commitments, close collaboration with relevant government departments is essential to ensure that forestry's role in the circular economy is maximised.

Some of these collaborations have been made possible by the Presidential Public Private Growth Initiative (PPGI), which has seen the government and private sector taking hands to promote employment, job security, transformation, economic growth and global competitiveness.

As a sector managing natural, renewable resources, it's crucial to highlight the many contributions forestry can make while identifying areas where more can be done to meet SDG milestones –within our landholdings and beyond our operations.

Stewardship

As South Africa works towards its 2030 SDG commitments, commercial forestry must be recognised for its critical role in balancing environmental stewardship with social and economic progress. The industry contributes significantly through sustainable land management, biodiversity preservation, and fostering rural development.

Forestry is vital in driving sustainability and creating a greener future for all by promoting inclusive growth and nature-positive solutions.