Search Results (14)

Forest certification in developing countries faces significant challenges due to weak institutions, limited market incentives, and complex trade conditions. This study investigates the status and key constraints of the Myanmar forest certification sector through a survey of 180 stakeholders from government organizations, NGOs, INGOs, third-party certification bodies, and private plantation owners, complemented by quantitative analysis and qualitative interviews. The results indicate a moderate level of familiarity with the Myanmar forest certification standard and high awareness of the Myanmar Forest Certification Committee; however, progress remains slow due to limited transparency, poor institutional coordination, financial and technical constraints, and insufficient stakeholder involvement. Non-compliances issues identified during pilot audits were primarily related to incomplete documentation, unclear land tenure, and weaknesses in environmental assessment. Geopolitical factors continue to limit Myanmar’s participation in certified timber markets and weaken efforts to improve traceability. Experiences from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam highlight that developing credible national certification systems requires time, clear legal frameworks, and strong cooperation among stakeholders. Strengthening institutional capacity, improving transparency, and aligning national standards with international forest governance frameworks are essential for Myanmar to build trust, achieve sustainable forest management, and regain market access. Full article

Improving alignment between timber sawmilling and prefabrication, defined as the coordination of information, materials, and decision-making across the supply chain, is critical for sustainable construction. This study examined integration through semi-structured interviews with 15 industry practitioners. Using framework analysis supported by NVivo, eight interlinked themes were identified: supply chain fragmentation and market cycles; data-driven forecasting; inventory and moisture management; digital integration; smart planning and production; quality assurance and workforce capability; circular economy and residue utilisation; and systemic enablers and constraints. The findings show that technical capabilities such as optimisation, grading, and QR-based traceability are often undermined by organisational and policy barriers, including distributor-mediated purchasing, limited interoperability, outdated standards, and uneven skills pathways. Integration was considered more feasible for mass timber prefabrication, where batch planning, tighter quality assurance, and vertical integration align with mill operations, compared with frame-and-truss networks that rely on just-in-time project workflows. The study provides empirical evidence of practitioner perspectives and identifies priorities for action that translate into sustainability gains through improved material efficiency, waste reduction, higher-value residue pathways, and supportive policy settings. Full article

Organisations are increasingly adopting the Chain of Custody (CoC) standards in the mining industry to enhance the traceability of minerals. It ensures that the minerals they have received are from credible sources and accompanied by verifiable information. However, unlikeother industries such as timber, where the effectiveness and benefits of CoC standards are mainly explored, this study subtly shifts the focus towards identifying strategic opportunities and innovation areas within the CoC standards that could extend beyond traceability. Four CoC standards were selected, and their provisions examined. It was found that implementing these requirements could not only enhance transparency but also support broader sustainability goals across the entire value chain. The study also identifies several challenges that could act as barriers to the CoC system, and these are seen as opportunities for innovative approaches to enhance the effectiveness of the standards. These are labelled as transformative innovation areas, and while they do include blockchains and analytical proof of origin technologies, this study also seeks to advocate for solutions that are more pragmatic and scalable. By identifying opportunities and areas of innovation, the findings will help improve the practical implementation of the standards and suggest areas for future evaluations of effectiveness that could consider aspects beyond traceability, such as sustainability and transparency. Full article

This study investigates the structural and cyclical determinants of tropical hardwood exports among member countries of the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) over the period 1995–2022—a sector historically characterized by persistent value imbalances. The central research issue addresses the enduring asymmetries in the global value chain, shaped by unequal industrial capacities, limited access to environmental certifications, and entrenched North–South trade relations. The study pursues three main objectives: (1) to develop a typology of exporting countries; (2) to estimate heterogeneous trade elasticities; (3) to propose a policy framework that reconciles equity with sustainability. The empirical findings identify four export profiles: (i) raw producers with minimal local processing; (ii) marginal players with weak trade integration; (iii) high-value-added re-export platforms (notably in Asia); (iv) major consumer markets. Trade effects vary across regions. In the short term, imports boost exports (+0.33%), particularly in re-export models seen in Asia, the USA, and the EU, while local production remains limited in Africa due to weak industrial capacity. In the long term, both domestic production and imports have a positive impact (+0.38% and +0.37%), but only countries with strong industrial bases fully benefit. Population size (+1.29%) also reinforces the advantage of large markets like China and India, supported by short-term economic growth elasticity (+1.1%), likely driven by improved logistics or rising demand from importing countries. In response, the policy implications converge around the proposal of a “Fair and Digital Timber Trade Model” (F&DTTT), structured around three pillars: (a) specialized economic zones aligned with SDGs 8, 12, and 15; (b) blockchain-based traceability systems to enhance supply chain transparency; (c) South–South cooperation strategies aimed at commercial, regulatory, and institutional rebalancing, including potential cartelization initiatives among Southern countries. Supported by a robust methodological framework, this study provides a forward-looking pathway for transforming the tropical timber trade into a vector of equity and sustainability. Full article

This article provides a critical review of the current design and research challenges in contemporary timber architecture. Conducted from the perspective of a designer-researcher, the review focuses on the role of wood as a material at the intersection of environmental performance, cultural meaning, and spatial practice. The study adopts a conceptual, problem-oriented approach, eschewing the conventional systematic aggregation of existing data. The objective of this study is to identify, interpret and categorise the key issues that are shaping the evolving discourse on timber architecture. The analysis is based on peer-reviewed literature published between 2020 and 2025, sourced from the Scopus and Web of Science Core Collection databases. Fifteen thematic challenges have been identified and classified according to their recognition level in academic and design contexts. The subjects under discussion include well-established topics, such as life cycle assessment and carbon storage, as well as less commonly explored areas, such as symbolic durability, social acceptance, traceability, and the upcycling of low-grade wood. The review under consideration places significant emphasis on the importance of integrating technical, cultural, and perceptual dimensions when evaluating timber architecture. The article proposes an interpretive framework combining design thinking and transdisciplinary insights. This framework aims to bridge disciplinary gaps and provide a coherent structure for understanding the complexity of timber-related challenges. The framework under discussion here encourages a broader understanding of wood as not only a sustainable building material but also a vehicle for systemic transformation in architectural culture and practice. The study’s insights may support designers, educators, and policymakers in identifying strategic priorities for the development of future-proof timber-based design practices. Full article

The global supply chain of wood products plays a key role in sustainable development and climate resilience, but remains fragmented in the academic and technical literature. This systematic review aims to synthesize research published between 2000 and 2025 on wood products’ production, transformation, trade, governance, and sustainability. A comprehensive search was conducted in multiple databases and repositories, including Scopus, FAOSTAT, ScienceDirect, DOAJ, SciELO, CAPES, EMBRAPA, and AGNIC. A total of 784 records were identified and, after applying eligibility and deduplication criteria, 119 documents were included in the final synthesis. The results reveal key thematic trends, including the dynamics of international timber trade, certification and traceability systems, logistical challenges, digitalization, and integration of forest policies. Key gaps include limited inclusion of smallholders, low technology adoption in the Global South, and fragmented governance mechanisms. The results suggest that improving sustainability in global timber supply chains requires coordinated policy frameworks, technological investment, and inclusive market systems. This review contributes a consolidated overview and offers insights for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners in the forestry sector. Full article

The growing importance of traceability in supply chains requires robust, transparent, and efficient systems to ensure the integrity and authenticity of product journeys. This paper presents a comprehensive characterisation and data model for a generic blockchain-based traceability system, highlighting its implementation using smart contracts on Ethereum-compatible networks, as the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), with its pioneering implementation of smart contracts and its extensive ecosystem; it provides a robust environment for developing decentralised applications. We discuss the advantages of using blockchain technology to notarise traceability activities, ensuring immutability and transparency by exploring two main scenarios, namely one where hash keys (i.e, cryptographic digests) are stored on-chain while detailed data remain off-chain, and another where all traceability data are fully stored on-chain. Each approach is evaluated for its impact on scalability, privacy, storage efficiency, and operational costs. The hash key method offers significant advantages in reducing blockchain storage costs, enhancing privacy, and maintaining data integrity, but it depends on reliable off-chain storage. Conversely, the full on-chain approach guarantees data immutability but at a higher cost and lower scalability. By combining these strategies, a balanced solution can be achieved, leveraging the strengths of both methods to provide a reliable, efficient, and secure blockchain-based traceability system, which is illustrated with a practical implementation to support traceability in the timber sector in Galicia, Spain. This paper aims to provide valuable insights for researchers and practitioners looking to implement or enhance traceability systems using blockchain technology, demonstrating how smart contracts can be effectively utilised to meet the demanding requirements of modern supply chains. Full article

The research into and applications of wood origin traceability technology are of great significance for promoting the standardization and legality of the global timber trade. This paper focuses on analyzing the content of ten mineral elements and the ratios of stable isotopes δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N in ash samples. Furthermore, multivariate statistical analysis was conducted to assess the clusters and differences in mineral elements, as well as δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N, among the samples, for identifying the different factors used to trace the origin of ash imported from different regions. Through unsupervised clustering and supervised discriminant modeling, a highly accurate method for discriminant analysis was developed. The results reveal significant differences (p < 0.05) in the contents of Mg, Cu, and Sr, as well as δ¹⁵N, between European and American samples. Additionally, the normalized results of mineral elements and isotope ratios were then subjected to partial least squares–discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), resulting in the highest level of separation. This analysis achieved an overall accuracy of 96.2% in discriminating between samples of European and American ash. The chemometrics analysis method integrating stable isotope analysis with elemental analysis exhibited potential for discriminating between samples from European and American ash. Full article

Traceability is the ability to follow the processes that a raw material or product goes through. For forestry, this means identifying the wood from the standing tree to the mill entrance and recording all information about the technical (production) and spatial (transportation) manipulation of the timber by linking it to the ID. We reviewed the literature for developments in timber flow traceability. Findings range from disillusionment with the non-application of available forestry technology to enthusiasm for the advancement of technology that—given appropriate incentives of an economic, environmental, consumer-oriented and legislative nature—can rapidly lead to widespread end-to-end media-interruption-free implementation. Based on our research, the solution lies in optical biometric systems that identify the individual piece of wood—without attaching anything—at three crucial points: during assortment at the skid road, at the forest road and at the mill entrance. At all of these points, the data accruing during the timber supply process must be linked to the ID of the piece of wood via data management. Full article

Illegal logging comprises illegal activities that impact the economy, environment, and social aspects. This situation is addressed by the Forest, Law Enforcement, Governance, and Trade Voluntary Partnership Agreement (FLEGT-VPA) scheme. In 2014, Indonesia and the European Union ratified the FLEGT-VPA and then started the FLEGT Licensing in 2016. This study intended to discover stakeholder satisfaction from the perspectives of the government institutions, civil society organizations, and the private sector on the Indonesia–EU FLEGT-VPA scheme, and it was accomplished by performing a mixed-method sequential explanatory research design. First, the quantitative data, collected through a web-based questionnaire (n = 103), resulted in the stakeholders’ satisfaction (dependent variable), in connection with all of the independent variables, showed that all three stakeholders were satisfied with sustainable forest management, new market opportunities, timber legality, and law enforcement. In contrast, they were slightly satisfied with the social safeguards. From the measurement of the multiple regression model, the results showed that each independent variable has a positive and significant effect on stakeholder satisfaction. We discovered that timber legality performed the highest significance to stakeholders’ satisfaction. Second, qualitative data were collected to briefly explain the preceding quantitative findings through web-based in-depth and focus group interviews (n = 20). All three stakeholders seemed to agree to the scheme implementation that supported the application of sustainable forest management principles, improved the legality and traceability, promoted good governance, and strengthened the social safeguards, while it improved the new market opportunities to a lesser degree. Finally, all three stakeholders explained that there are still main challenges to be solved in improving the scheme implementation such as (1) administrative problems mainly experienced by small and medium enterprises; (2) uncompetitive FLEGT license products that are not well known to buyers; and (3) the absence of incentives given by both parties (Indonesia and the EU) to the FLEGT-licensed product exporters. Full article

Social networks have become increasingly popular lately, being a complementary method of expression and communication. With the adoption of quarantine and social distancing imposed by the authorities as measures to limit the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, society has used the opportunity offered by digital technology to continue its concern related to the protection and conservation of the environment, especially the forest. The purpose of this study was to highlight the public interest regarding the forests in the context of COVID-19, especially the extent to which public opinion expressed on social networks has determined public forest management policies. The results revealed a major interest in preserving biodiversity and forestry, in reducing legal logging and stopping illegal logging, and monitoring of timber shipments as measures to combat illegal logging. During the analyzed period (i.e., 1 February 2020 to 31 July 2020), several legislative acts were adopted that overlap with the requests and needs identified by environmental organizations, acts that address the issue of illegal logging, conservation, and protection of the forest, monitoring the traceability of wood. The legislation adopted in the analyzed timeframe and shortly after responded to several major topics related to the licensing and withdrawal of the logging license for illegal logging, amending the legislation for the conservation of biodiversity and the classification of areas with virgin forests as strictly protected forests. An IT system has also been implemented by the government environmental authority that allows the supervision of timber transport, offering the possibility of active involvement of civil society. Full article

Eight years after the European Union Timber Regulation (EUTR) came into force, its effectiveness is still unsatisfactory due to deficient and uneven implementation among member states. In addition, some Western Balkan countries have poor legality monitoring systems, increasing the risk of trade in illegally harvested timber. Regardless of this, no recent work has analyzed the adaptation of national forest policies to the EUTR obligations. Our study aims to contribute to the understanding of EUTR implementation by analyzing the adaptation of policies of the Western Balkan countries (Slovenia, Croatia, and Serbia) to the EUTR. Qualitative content analysis was conducted on 22 policy documents from Slovenia, Croatia, and Serbia. Documents were coded using coding categories derived from EUTR. Our results point out that none of the analyzed countries have a policy to directly address illegal logging or prevention of illegal activities. As EU members, Slovenia and Croatia has implemented EUTR through laws. The Slovenian Forest Act addresses all EUTR obligations, while Croatian Law on EUTR Implementation does not directly address the obligation of legality. This obligation is addressed by the Law on Forests. As Serbia is not an EU member, it did not implement EUTR. Nevertheless, Serbian Law on Forests addresses all EUTR obligations, but has some discrepancies regarding Traceability obligation. With ongoing discourses on Green Deal policies and the increasing focus on “deforestation-free” commodities, stricter implementation might be expected of EUTR at EU level. Most countries would probably have to build capacities for EUTR implementation and become more transparent and responsible concerning information availability. To successfully implement EUTR, an increased number of checks as well as stricter fines will be needed. Full article

Non-timber forest products have often been held out as potential tools for conservation and sustainable development, but sustainability assessments are frequently difficult and time-consuming, especially in conflict areas. Thus, rapid assessments can be useful in providing a broad overview of the harvesting system in order to generate meaningful conservation or development recommendations. Here, we use rapid assessment methodology, including semi-structured interviews and direct observations, to examine the frankincense harvesting system in Somaliland in 2010 and again in 2016 and 2017. We identified significant levels of overharvesting, driven by a breakdown of the traditional management system. Demand for resin and resin prices increased dramatically from 2010 to 2017, at the same time as the tree populations were declining, resource tenure security was weakening, drug use was increasing, and the supply chain was becoming more complex. These factors combine to incentivize short-term unsustainable practices, and the lack of traceability and transparency prevents international buyers from meaningfully engaging with the system. However, new technologies and approaches being employed mean that buyers will soon be able to clearly direct their purchasing in order to incentivize sustainable practices and purchase resin in an ethical manner. Full article

Precision forestry and traceability services for the certification of timber products require reliable systems for the identification of items throughout the supply chains, starting from the inventory of standing trees. AutoID systems based on radio frequency identification (RFID) are regarded as the most promising technology for this purpose. Nevertheless, there is no information available regarding the capacity of RFID tags to withstand the climatic and biological wearing agents present in forests for long periods, while maintaining the stored information and the capacity to return a readable signal over time. In order to assess this aspect, seven RFID UHF tags, selected from the range of commercial models or developed for this purpose, were used to mark standing trees for two years. Results showed that all models proved able to maintain sufficient operative capacity to be identified with manual (proximity) readers. Some models suffered damage to the protective case or were deformed, with a strong decrease in readability. Tags with simple structure and lower cost proved strong enough to endure one year without major drawbacks, and could be best suited for deployment in integrated auto-ID supply chains if used as disposable components. More complex and expensive tags are best suited for long-term marking, but application on living trees requires specific solutions to prevent damage due to stem growth. Full article