• 1. Implementing adaptation solutions

    1.1 1.1 The economic activity has implemented physical and non-physical solutions (‘adaptation solutions’) that substantially reduce the most important physical climate risks that are material to that activity.

    OBJECTIVE 9. CLIMATE SMART FORESTRY

    Performance Measure 9.1 Certified Organizations shall individually and/or through cooperative efforts involving SFI Implementation Committees or other partners identify and address the climate change risks to forests and forest operations and develop appropriate adaptation objectives and strategies. Strategies are based on best scientific information.

    Performance Measure 9.2 Certified Organizations shall individually and/or through cooperative efforts involving SFI Implementation Committees or other partners identify and address opportunities to mitigate the effects associated with its forest operations on climate change.

    2

  • 2. Identification of physical climate risks that are material to the activity, performing climate risk and vulnerability assessment

    2.2 The physical climate risks that are material to the activity have been identified from those listed in Appendix A to this Annex by performing a robust climate risk and vulnerability assessment with the following steps: (a) screening of the activity to identify which physical climate risks from the list in Appendix A to this Annex may affect the performance of the economic activity during its expected lifetime;

    OBJECTIVE 9. CLIMATE SMART FORESTRY

    Performance Measure 9.1 Certified Organizations shall individually and/or through cooperative efforts involving SFI Implementation Committees or other partners identify and address the climate change risks to forests and forest operations and develop appropriate adaptation objectives and strategies. Strategies are based on best scientific information.

    Performance Measure 9.2 Certified Organizations shall individually and/or through cooperative efforts involving SFI Implementation Committees or other partners identify and address opportunities to mitigate the effects associated with its forest operations on climate change.

    1

  • 2. Identification of physical climate risks that are material to the activity, performing climate risk and vulnerability assessment

    2.2 (b) where the activity is assessed to be at risk from one or more of the physical climate risks listed in Appendix A to this Annex, a climate risk and vulnerability assessment to assess the materiality of the physical climate risks on the economic activity;

    OBJECTIVE 9. CLIMATE SMART FORESTRY

    Performance Measure 9.1 Certified Organizations shall individually and/or through cooperative efforts involving SFI Implementation Committees or other partners identify and address the climate change risks to forests and forest operations and develop appropriate adaptation objectives and strategies. Strategies are based on best scientific information.

    Performance Measure 9.2 Certified Organizations shall individually and/or through cooperative efforts involving SFI Implementation Committees or other partners identify and address opportunities to mitigate the effects associated with its forest operations on climate change.

    1

  • 2. Identification of physical climate risks that are material to the activity, performing climate risk and vulnerability assessment

    2.2 (c) an assessment of adaptation solutions that can reduce the identified physical climate risk.

    OBJECTIVE 9. CLIMATE SMART FORESTRY

    Performance Measure 9.1 Certified Organizations shall individually and/or through cooperative efforts involving SFI Implementation Committees or other partners identify and address the climate change risks to forests and forest operations and develop appropriate adaptation objectives and strategies. Strategies are based on best scientific information.

    2

  • 2. Identification of physical climate risks that are material to the activity, performing climate risk and vulnerability assessment

    2.2 The climate risk and vulnerability assessment is proportionate to the scale of the activity and its expected lifespan, such that: (a) for activities with an expected lifespan of less than 10 years, the assessment is performed, at least by using climate projections at the smallest appropriate scale;

    OBJECTIVE 9. CLIMATE SMART FORESTRY

    Performance Measure 9.1 Certified Organizations shall individually and/or through cooperative efforts involving SFI Implementation Committees or other partners identify and address the climate change risks to forests and forest operations and develop appropriate adaptation objectives and strategies. Strategies are based on best scientific information.

    Performance Measure 9.2 Certified Organizations shall individually and/or through cooperative efforts involving SFI Implementation Committees or other partners identify and address opportunities to mitigate the effects associated with its forest operations on climate change.

    1

  • 2. Identification of physical climate risks that are material to the activity, performing climate risk and vulnerability assessment

    2.2 (b) for all other activities, the assessment is performed using the highest available resolution, state of-the-art climate projections across the existing range of future scenarios (3) consistent with the expected lifetime of the activity, including, at least, 10 to 30 years climate projections scenarios for major investments.

    OBJECTIVE 9. CLIMATE SMART FORESTRY

    Performance Measure 9.1 Certified Organizations shall individually and/or through cooperative efforts involving SFI Implementation Committees or other partners identify and address the climate change risks to forests and forest operations and develop appropriate adaptation objectives and strategies. Strategies are based on best scientific information.

    Performance Measure 9.2 Certified Organizations shall individually and/or through cooperative efforts involving SFI Implementation Committees or other partners identify and address opportunities to mitigate the effects associated with its forest operations on climate change.

    1

  • 3. Climate projections and assessment of impacts are based on best practice and available guidance and take into account the state-of-the-art science for vulnerability and risk analysis

    3.1 3.1 The climate projections and assessment of impacts are based on best practice and available guidance and take into account the state-of-the-art science for vulnerability and risk analysis and related methodologies in line with the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports (4), scientific peer-reviewed publications and open source (5) or paying models.

    OBJECTIVE 9. CLIMATE SMART FORESTRY

    Performance Measure 9.1 Certified Organizations shall individually and/or through cooperative efforts involving SFI Implementation Committees or other partners identify and address the climate change risks to forests and forest operations and develop appropriate adaptation objectives and strategies. Strategies are based on best scientific information.

    Performance Measure 9.2 Certified Organizations shall individually and/or through cooperative efforts involving SFI Implementation Committees or other partners identify and address opportunities to mitigate the effects associated with its forest operations on climate change.

    1

  • 4. The adaptation solutions implemented:

    4.1 4. The adaptation solutions implemented: (a) do not adversely affect the adaptation efforts or the level of resilience to physical climate risks of other people, of nature, of cultural heritage, of assets and of other economic activities;

    OBJECTIVE 9. CLIMATE SMART FORESTRY

    Performance Measure 9.1 Certified Organizations shall individually and/or through cooperative efforts involving SFI Implementation Committees or other partners identify and address the climate change risks to forests and forest operations and develop appropriate adaptation objectives and strategies. Strategies are based on best scientific information.

    Performance Measure 9.2 Certified Organizations shall individually and/or through cooperative efforts involving SFI Implementation Committees or other partners identify and address opportunities to mitigate the effects associated with its forest operations on climate change.

    2

  • 4. The adaptation solutions implemented:

    4.1 (b) favour nature-based solutions (6) or rely on blue or green infrastructure (7) to the extent possible;

    OBJECTIVE 9. CLIMATE SMART FORESTRY

    Performance Measure 9.1 Certified Organizations shall individually and/or through cooperative efforts involving SFI Implementation Committees or other partners identify and address the climate change risks to forests and forest operations and develop appropriate adaptation objectives and strategies. Strategies are based on best scientific information.

    Performance Measure 9.2 Certified Organizations shall individually and/or through cooperative efforts involving SFI Implementation Committees or other partners identify and address opportunities to mitigate the effects associated with its forest operations on climate change.

    1

  • 4. The adaptation solutions implemented:

    4.1 (c) are consistent with local, sectoral, regional or national adaptation plans and strategies;

    OBJECTIVE 9. CLIMATE SMART FORESTRY

    Performance Measure 9.1 Certified Organizations shall individually and/or through cooperative efforts involving SFI Implementation Committees or other partners identify and address the climate change risks to forests and forest operations and develop appropriate adaptation objectives and strategies. Strategies are based on best scientific information.

    Performance Measure 9.2 Certified Organizations shall individually and/or through cooperative efforts involving SFI Implementation Committees or other partners identify and address opportunities to mitigate the effects associated with its forest operations on climate change.

    2

  • 4. The adaptation solutions implemented:

    4.1 (d) are monitored and measured against pre-defined indicators and remedial action is considered where those indicators are not met;

    OBJECTIVE 9. CLIMATE SMART FORESTRY

    Performance Measure 9.1 Certified Organizations shall individually and/or through cooperative efforts involving SFI Implementation Committees or other partners identify and address the climate change risks to forests and forest operations and develop appropriate adaptation objectives and strategies. Strategies are based on best scientific information.

    Performance Measure 9.2 Certified Organizations shall individually and/or through cooperative efforts involving SFI Implementation Committees or other partners identify and address opportunities to mitigate the effects associated with its forest operations on climate change.

    1

  • 4. The adaptation solutions implemented:

    4.1 (e) where the solution implemented is physical and consists in an activity for which technical screening criteria have been specified in this Annex, the solution complies with the do no significant harm technical screening criteria for that activity.

    OBJECTIVE 9. CLIMATE SMART FORESTRY

    Performance Measure 9.1 Certified Organizations shall individually and/or through cooperative efforts involving SFI Implementation Committees or other partners identify and address the climate change risks to forests and forest operations and develop appropriate adaptation objectives and strategies. Strategies are based on best scientific information.

    Performance Measure 9.2 Certified Organizations shall individually and/or through cooperative efforts involving SFI Implementation Committees or other partners identify and address opportunities to mitigate the effects associated with its forest operations on climate change.

    1

  • 5. the economic operator demonstrates, through an assessment of current and future climate risks, the activity provides a technology, product, service, information, or practice

    5.1 5. In order for an activity to be considered as an enabling activity as referred to in Article 11(1), point (b), of Regulation (EU) 2020/852, the economic operator demonstrates, through an assessment of current and future climate risks, including uncertainty and based on robust data, that the activity provides a technology, product, service, information, or practice, or promotes their uses with one of the following primary objectives: (a) increasing the level of resilience to physical climate risks of other people, of nature, of cultural heritage, of assets and of other economic activities;

    OBJECTIVE 9. CLIMATE SMART FORESTRY

    Performance Measure 9.1 Certified Organizations shall individually and/or through cooperative efforts involving SFI Implementation Committees or other partners identify and address the climate change risks to forests and forest operations and develop appropriate adaptation objectives and strategies. Strategies are based on best scientific information.

    Performance Measure 9.2 Certified Organizations shall individually and/or through cooperative efforts involving SFI Implementation Committees or other partners identify and address opportunities to mitigate the effects associated with its forest operations on climate change.

    1

  • 5. the economic operator demonstrates, through an assessment of current and future climate risks, the activity provides a technology, product, service, information, or practice

    5.1 (b) contributing to adaptation efforts of other people, of nature, of cultural heritage, of assets and of other economic activities.

    OBJECTIVE 9. CLIMATE SMART FORESTRY

    Performance Measure 9.1 Certified Organizations shall individually and/or through cooperative efforts involving SFI Implementation Committees or other partners identify and address the climate change risks to forests and forest operations and develop appropriate adaptation objectives and strategies. Strategies are based on best scientific information.

    Performance Measure 9.2 Certified Organizations shall individually and/or through cooperative efforts involving SFI Implementation Committees or other partners identify and address opportunities to mitigate the effects associated with its forest operations on climate change.

    2

  • DNSH 1 Climate change mitigation

    1. Afforestation plan and subsequent forest management plan or equivalent instrument 1.1. The area on which the activity takes place is covered by an affor­ estation plan of a duration of at least five years, or the minimum period prescribed in national law, developed prior to the start of the activity, and continuously updated until this area matches the definition of forest as set out in national law or where not available, is in line with the FAO definition of forest. The afforestation plan contains all elements required by the national law relating to environmental impact assessment of afforestation.

    OBJECTIVE 1. FOREST MANAGEMENT PLANNING

    Performance Measure 1.4. Certified Organizations shall not afforest in locations which negatively impact ecologically important natural communities, threatened and endangered species, or native natural communities which could be at risk of becoming rare.

    Indicator 1. Any afforestation activity must include an evaluation of the proposed site to determine the presence of: a. ecologically important natural communities, or b. threatened and endangered species, or c. native natural communities that could be at risk of becoming rare.

    Indicator 2. Afforestation shall not occur on that location if the evaluation determines a negative impact to: a. ecologically important natural communities, or b. threatened and endangered species, or c. native natural communities which could be at risk of becoming rare.

    1

  • DNSH 1 Climate change mitigation

    1. Afforestation plan and subsequent forest management plan or equivalent instrument 1.2 Preferably through the afforestation plan, or if information is missing, through any other document, detailed information is provided on the following points: (a) description of the area according to its gazetting in the land registry;

    OBJECTIVE 2. FOREST HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY

    Performance Measure 2.1. Certified Organizations shall promptly reforest after final harvest.

    Indicator 1. Documented reforestation plans, including designation of all harvest areas for either natural, planted, or direct seeded regeneration and prompt reforestation, unless delayed for site-specific environmental or forest health considerations or legal requirements, through planting within two years or two planting seasons, or by planned natural regeneration methods within five years.

    Indicator 2. Clear criteria to judge adequate regeneration and appropriate actions to correct understocked areas and achieve acceptable species composition and stocking rates for planting, direct seeding, and natural regeneration.

    Indicator 3. Plantings of native or non-invasive naturalized tree species are preferred. In exceptional circumstances where exotic tree species are being planted, they should not increase risk to native ecosystems.

    Indicator 4. Protection of desirable or planned advanced natural regeneration during harvest.

    2

  • DNSH 1 Climate change mitigation

    1. Afforestation plan and subsequent forest management plan or equivalent instrument (b) site preparation and its impacts on pre-existing carbon stocks, including soils and above-ground biomass, in order to protect land with high carbon stock (8);

    OBJECTIVE 2. FOREST HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY

    Performance Measure 2.3. Certified Organizations shall implement practices that protect and maintain forest and soil productivity and soil health.

    Indicator 1. Process to identify soils vulnerable to compaction, and use of appropriate methods, including the use of soil maps where available, to avoid excessive soil disturbance.

    Indicator 2. Use of erosion control measures to minimize the loss of soil and impacts to site productivity.

    Indicator 3. Post-harvest conditions conducive to maintaining site productivity (such as: retained down woody debris and minimized skid trails).

    Indicator 4. Retention of vigorous trees during partial harvesting, consistent with scientific silvicultural standards for the area.

    Indicator 5. Practices that address harvesting and site preparation to protect soil productivity and soil health.

    Indicator 6. Road construction, skidding layout, and harvest plans designed to minimize impacts to soil productivity and soil health.

    2

  • DNSH 1 Climate change mitigation

    1. Afforestation plan and subsequent forest management plan or equivalent instrument (c) management goals, including major constraints;

    OBJECTIVE 2. FOREST HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY

    Performance Measure 2.3. Certified Organizations shall implement practices that protect and maintain forest and soil productivity and soil health.

    Indicator 1. Process to identify soils vulnerable to compaction, and use of appropriate methods, including the use of soil maps where available, to avoid excessive soil disturbance.

    Indicator 2. Use of erosion control measures to minimize the loss of soil and impacts to site productivity.

    Indicator 3. Post-harvest conditions conducive to maintaining site productivity (such as: retained down woody debris and minimized skid trails).

    Indicator 4. Retention of vigorous trees during partial harvesting, consistent with scientific silvicultural standards for the area.

    Indicator 5. Practices that address harvesting and site preparation to protect soil productivity and soil health.

    Indicator 6. Road construction, skidding layout, and harvest plans designed to minimize impacts to soil productivity and soil health.

    2

  • DNSH 1 Climate change mitigation

    1. Afforestation plan and subsequent forest management plan or equivalent instrument (d) general strategies and activities planned to reach the management goals, including expected operations over the whole forest cycle;

    OBJECTIVE 1. FOREST MANAGEMENT PLANNING

    Performance Measure 1.1. Certified Organizations shall ensure that forest management plans include long-term harvest levels that are sustainable and consistent with appropriate growth-and-yield models.

    2

  • DNSH 1 Climate change mitigation

    1. Afforestation plan and subsequent forest management plan or equivalent instrument (e) definition of the forest habitat context, including main existing and intended forest tree species, and their extent and distribution;

    OBJECTIVE 1. FOREST MANAGEMENT PLANNING

    Performance Measure 1.1. Certified Organizations shall ensure that forest management plans include long-term harvest levels that are sustainable and consistent with appropriate growth-and-yield models.

    2

  • DNSH 1 Climate change mitigation

    1. Afforestation plan and subsequent forest management plan or equivalent instrument (f) compartments, roads, rights of way and other public access, physical features including waterways, areas under legal and other restrictions;

    OBJECTIVE 1. FOREST MANAGEMENT PLANNING

    Performance Measure 1.1. Certified Organizations shall ensure that forest management plans include long-term harvest levels that are sustainable and consistent with appropriate growth-and-yield models.

    2

  • DNSH 1 Climate change mitigation

    1. Afforestation plan and subsequent forest management plan or equivalent instrument (g) measures deployed to establish and maintain the good condition of forest ecosystems;

    OBJECTIVE 1. FOREST MANAGEMENT PLANNING

    OBJECTIVE 2. FOREST HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY

    OBJECTIVE 3. PROTECTION AND MAINTENANCE OF WATER RESOURCES

    OBJECTIVE 4. CONSERVATION OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

    OBJECTIVE 5. MANAGEMENT OF VISUAL QUALITY AND RECREATIONAL BENEFITS

    OBJECTIVE 9. CLIMATE SMART FORESTRY

    OBJECTIVE 10. FIRE RESILIENCE AND AWARENESS

    Performance Measure 1.1. Certified Organizations shall ensure that forest management plans include long-term harvest levels that are sustainable and consistent with appropriate growth-and-yield models.

    Performance Measure 1.2. Certified Organizations shall not convert one forest cover type to another forest cover type unless an assessment has been conducted to determine ecological impacts and provide appropriate justification.

    Performance Measure 1.3. Certified Organizations shall not have within the scope of their certification to this SFI Standard, forest lands that have been converted to non-forest land use.

    Performance Measure 1.4. Certified Organizations shall not afforest in locations which negatively impact ecologically important natural communities, threatened and endangered species, or native natural communities which could be at risk of becoming rare.

    Performance Measure 2.1. Certified Organizations shall promptly reforest after final harvest.

    Performance Measure 2.2. Certified Organizations shall have a program to minimize chemical use required to achieve management objectives while protecting employees, neighbors, the public and the environment, including wildlife and aquatic habitats.

    Performance Measure 2.3. Certified Organizations shall implement practices that protect and maintain forest and soil productivity and soil health.

    Performance Measure 2.4. Certified Organizations shall manage to protect forests from damaging agents, such as environmentally or economically undesirable levels of wildfire, pests, diseases, and invasive species, to maintain and improve long-term forest health, productivity, and economic viability.

    Performance Measure 2.5. Certified Organizations that deploy improved planting stock, including varietal seedlings, shall use best scientific methods.

    Performance Measure 3.1. Certified Organizations shall meet or exceed all applicable federal, provincial, state and local water quality laws and meet or exceed best management practices.

    Performance Measure 3.2. Certified Organizations shall implement water, wetland, and riparian protection programs based on climate, soil type, terrain, vegetation, ecological function, harvesting system, state best management practices (BMPs), provincial guidelines and other applicable factors

    Performance Measure 4.1. Certified Organizations shall conserve biological diversity.

    Performance Measure 4.2. Certified Organizations shall protect threatened and endangered species, critically imperiled and imperiled species (Forests with Exceptional Conservation Values), and natural communities, and old-growth forests.

    Performance Measure 4.3. Certified Organizations shall manage to protect ecologically important sites in a manner that takes into account their unique qualities.

    Performance Measure 4.4. Certified Organizations shall apply knowledge gained through research, science, technology, field experience and the results of monitoring of the effectiveness of conservation-related programs to manage wildlife habitat and contribute to the conservation of biological diversity.

    Performance Measure 5.1. Certified Organizations shall manage the impact of harvesting on visual quality

    Performance Measure 5.2. Certified Organizations shall manage the size, shape, and placement of clearcut harvests.

    Performance Measure 5.3. Certified Organizations shall adopt a green-up requirement or alternative methods that provide for visual quality.

    Performance Measure 5.4. Certified Organizations shall support and promote recreational opportunities for the public.

    Performance Measure 9.1 Certified Organizations shall individually and/or through cooperative efforts involving SFI Implementation Committees or other partners identify and address the climate change risks to forests and forest operations and develop appropriate adaptation objectives and strategies. Strategies are based on best scientific information.

    Performance Measure 9.2 Certified Organizations shall individually and/or through cooperative efforts involving SFI Implementation Committees or other partners identify and address opportunities to mitigate the effects associated with its forest operations on climate change.

    Performance Measure 10.1 On the forests they own or manage, Certified Organizations shall limit susceptibility to undesirable impacts of wildfire, promote healthy and resilient forest conditions through management techniques, actions and/or policies, and support restoration of forests following wildfire damage.

    Performance Measure 10.2 Certified Organizations shall individually and/or through cooperative efforts involving government agencies, SFI Implementation Committees, Project Learning Tree, or other partners, engage in efforts to raise awareness of and take action towards benefits of fire management and minimization of undesirable impacts of wildfire.

    2

  • DNSH 1 Climate change mitigation

    1. Afforestation plan and subsequent forest management plan or equivalent instrument (h) consideration of societal issues (including preservation of landscape, consultation of stakeholders in accordance with the terms and conditions laid down in national law);

    OBJECTIVE 1. FOREST MANAGEMENT PLANNING

    Performance Measure 1.1. Certified Organizations shall ensure that forest management plans include long-term harvest levels that are sustainable and consistent with appropriate growth-and-yield models.

    1

  • DNSH 1 Climate change mitigation

    1. Afforestation plan and subsequent forest management plan or equivalent instrument (i) assessment of forest related risks, including forest fires, and pests and diseases outbreaks, with the aim of preventing, reducing and controlling the risks and measures deployed to ensure protection and adaptation against residual risks;

    OBJECTIVE 2. FOREST HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY

    OBJECTIVE 10. FIRE RESILIENCE AND AWARENESS

    Performance Measure 2.4. Certified Organizations shall manage to protect forests from damaging agents, such as environmentally or economically undesirable levels of wildfire, pests, diseases, and invasive species, to maintain and improve long-term forest health, productivity, and economic viability.

    Indicator 1. Program to protect forests from damaging agents.

    Indicator 2. Management to promote healthy and productive forest conditions to reduce susceptibility to damaging agents.

    Indicator 3. Participation in, and support of, fire and pest prevention and control programs.

    Performance Measure 10.1 On the forests they own or manage, Certified Organizations shall limit susceptibility to undesirable impacts of wildfire, promote healthy and resilient forest conditions through management techniques, actions and/or policies, and support restoration of forests following wildfire damage.

    Indicator 1. Program to evaluate the risk of undesirable impacts of wildfire and the role of fire on the forests they own or manage.

    Indicator 2. Use of stand and landscape level management techniques, actions and/or policies to promote forest health and resilience, and to mitigate the likelihood of undesirable impacts of wildfire, such as, prescribed fire, cultural burning, thinning, or hazardous fuel reduction where appropriate based on risk.

    Indicator 3. Use of management techniques to address wildfire damage, mitigate negative impacts to water and soils, and to promote forest restoration and future forest resilience.

    2

  • DNSH 1 Climate change mitigation

    1. Afforestation plan and subsequent forest management plan or equivalent instrument (j) assessment of impact on food security;

    N/A

    N/A

    N/A

  • DNSH 1 Climate change mitigation

    1. Afforestation plan and subsequent forest management plan or equivalent instrument (k) all DNSH criteria relevant to afforestation.

    See below

  • DNSH 1 Climate change mitigation

    1. Afforestation plan and subsequent forest management plan or equivalent instrument 1.3. When the area becomes a forest, the afforestation plan is followed by a subsequent forest management plan or an equivalent instrument, as set out in national law or, where national law does not define a forest management plan or equivalent instrument, as referred to in the FAO definition of ‘forest area with long-term forest management plan’ (9). The forest management plan or the equivalent instrument covers a period of 10 years or more and is continuously updated.

    OBJECTIVE 1. FOREST MANAGEMENT PLANNING

    Performance Measure 1.1. Certified Organizations shall ensure that forest management plans include long-term harvest levels that are sustainable and consistent with appropriate growth-and-yield models.

    2

  • DNSH 1 Climate change mitigation

    1. Afforestation plan and subsequent forest management plan or equivalent instrument 1.3. When the area becomes a forest, the afforestation plan is followed by a subsequent forest management plan or an equivalent instrument, as set out in national law or, where national law does not define a forest management plan or equivalent instrument, as referred to in the FAO definition of ‘forest area with long-term forest management plan’ (9). The forest management plan or the equivalent instrument covers a period of 10 years or more and is continuously updated.

    OBJECTIVE 1. FOREST MANAGEMENT PLANNING

    Performance Measure 1.1. Certified Organizations shall ensure that forest management plans include long-term harvest levels that are sustainable and consistent with appropriate growth-and-yield models.

    2

  • DNSH 1 Climate change mitigation

    1. Afforestation plan and subsequent forest management plan or equivalent instrument 1.4. Information is provided on the following points that are not already documented in the forest management plan or equivalent system: (a) management goals, including major constraints (10);

    OBJECTIVE 1. FOREST MANAGEMENT PLANNING

    Performance Measure 1.1. Certified Organizations shall ensure that forest management plans include long-term harvest levels that are sustainable and consistent with appropriate growth-and-yield models.

    2

  • DNSH 1 Climate change mitigation

    1. Afforestation plan and subsequent forest management plan or equivalent instrument (b) general strategies and activities planned to reach the management goals, including expected operations over the whole forest cycle;

    OBJECTIVE 1. FOREST MANAGEMENT PLANNING

    Performance Measure 1.1. Certified Organizations shall ensure that forest management plans include long-term harvest levels that are sustainable and consistent with appropriate growth-and-yield models.

    2

  • DNSH 1 Climate change mitigation

    1. Afforestation plan and subsequent forest management plan or equivalent instrument c) definition of the forest habitat context, including main existing and intended forest tree species, and their extent and distribution;

    OBJECTIVE 1. FOREST MANAGEMENT PLANNING

    Performance Measure 1.1. Certified Organizations shall ensure that forest management plans include long-term harvest levels that are sustainable and consistent with appropriate growth-and-yield models.

    2

  • DNSH 1 Climate change mitigation

    1. Afforestation plan and subsequent forest management plan or equivalent instrument (d) definition of the area according to its gazetting in the land registry;

    OBJECTIVE 1. FOREST MANAGEMENT PLANNING

    Performance Measure 1.1. Certified Organizations shall ensure that forest management plans include long-term harvest levels that are sustainable and consistent with appropriate growth-and-yield models.

    2

  • DNSH 1 Climate change mitigation

    1. Afforestation plan and subsequent forest management plan or equivalent instrument (e) compartments, roads, rights of way and other public access, physical features including waterways, areas under legal and other restrictions;

    OBJECTIVE 1. FOREST MANAGEMENT PLANNING

    Performance Measure 1.1. Certified Organizations shall ensure that forest management plans include long-term harvest levels that are sustainable and consistent with appropriate growth-and-yield models.

    2

  • DNSH 1 Climate change mitigation

    1. Afforestation plan and subsequent forest management plan or equivalent instrument (f) measures deployed to maintain the good condition of forest ecosystems;

    OBJECTIVE 1. FOREST MANAGEMENT PLANNING

    OBJECTIVE 2. FOREST HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY

    OBJECTIVE 3. PROTECTION AND MAINTENANCE OF WATER RESOURCES

    OBJECTIVE 4. CONSERVATION OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

    OBJECTIVE 5. MANAGEMENT OF VISUAL QUALITY AND RECREATIONAL BENEFITS

    OBJECTIVE 9. CLIMATE SMART FORESTRY

    OBJECTIVE 10. FIRE RESILIENCE AND AWARENESS

    Performance Measure 1.1. Certified Organizations shall ensure that forest management plans include long-term harvest levels that are sustainable and consistent with appropriate growth-and-yield models.

    Performance Measure 1.2. Certified Organizations shall not convert one forest cover type to another forest cover type unless an assessment has been conducted to determine ecological impacts and provide appropriate justification.

    Performance Measure 1.3. Certified Organizations shall not have within the scope of their certification to this SFI Standard, forest lands that have been converted to non-forest land use.

    Performance Measure 1.4. Certified Organizations shall not afforest in locations which negatively impact ecologically important natural communities, threatened and endangered species, or native natural communities which could be at risk of becoming rare.

    Performance Measure 2.1. Certified Organizations shall promptly reforest after final harvest.

    Performance Measure 2.2. Certified Organizations shall have a program to minimize chemical use required to achieve management objectives while protecting employees, neighbors, the public and the environment, including wildlife and aquatic habitats.

    Performance Measure 2.3. Certified Organizations shall implement practices that protect and maintain forest and soil productivity and soil health.

    Performance Measure 2.4. Certified Organizations shall manage to protect forests from damaging agents, such as environmentally or economically undesirable levels of wildfire, pests, diseases, and invasive species, to maintain and improve long-term forest health, productivity, and economic viability.

    Performance Measure 2.5. Certified Organizations that deploy improved planting stock, including varietal seedlings, shall use best scientific methods.

    Performance Measure 3.1. Certified Organizations shall meet or exceed all applicable federal, provincial, state and local water quality laws and meet or exceed best management practices.

    Performance Measure 3.2. Certified Organizations shall implement water, wetland, and riparian protection programs based on climate, soil type, terrain, vegetation, ecological function, harvesting system, state best management practices (BMPs), provincial guidelines and other applicable factors

    Performance Measure 4.1. Certified Organizations shall conserve biological diversity.

    Performance Measure 4.2. Certified Organizations shall protect threatened and endangered species, critically imperiled and imperiled species (Forests with Exceptional Conservation Values), and natural communities, and old-growth forests.

    Performance Measure 4.3. Certified Organizations shall manage to protect ecologically important sites in a manner that takes into account their unique qualities.

    Performance Measure 4.4. Certified Organizations shall apply knowledge gained through research, science, technology, field experience and the results of monitoring of the effectiveness of conservation-related programs to manage wildlife habitat and contribute to the conservation of biological diversity.

    Performance Measure 5.1. Certified Organizations shall manage the impact of harvesting on visual quality

    Performance Measure 5.2. Certified Organizations shall manage the size, shape, and placement of clearcut harvests.

    Performance Measure 5.3. Certified Organizations shall adopt a green-up requirement or alternative methods that provide for visual quality.

    Performance Measure 5.4. Certified Organizations shall support and promote recreational opportunities for the public.

    Performance Measure 9.1 Certified Organizations shall individually and/or through cooperative efforts involving SFI Implementation Committees or other partners identify and address the climate change risks to forests and forest operations and develop appropriate adaptation objectives and strategies. Strategies are based on best scientific information.

    Performance Measure 9.2 Certified Organizations shall individually and/or through cooperative efforts involving SFI Implementation Committees or other partners identify and address opportunities to mitigate the effects associated with its forest operations on climate change.

    Performance Measure 10.1 On the forests they own or manage, Certified Organizations shall limit susceptibility to undesirable impacts of wildfire, promote healthy and resilient forest conditions through management techniques, actions and/or policies, and support restoration of forests following wildfire damage.

    Performance Measure 10.2 Certified Organizations shall individually and/or through cooperative efforts involving government agencies, SFI Implementation Committees, Project Learning Tree, or other partners, engage in efforts to raise awareness of and take action towards benefits of fire management and minimization of undesirable impacts of wildfire.

    2

  • DNSH 1 Climate change mitigation

    1. Afforestation plan and subsequent forest management plan or equivalent instrument (g) consideration of societal issues (including preservation of landscape, consultation of stakeholders in accordance with the terms and conditions laid down in national law);

    OBJECTIVE 1. FOREST MANAGEMENT PLANNING

    OBJECTIVE 6. PROTECTION OF SPECIAL SITES

    OBJECTIVE 14. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND LANDOWNER OUTREACH

    OBJECTIVE 15: PUBLIC LAND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

    Performance Measure 1.1. Certified Organizations shall ensure that forest management plans include long-term harvest levels that are sustainable and consistent with appropriate growth-and-yield models.

    Performance Measure 1.2. Certified Organizations shall not convert one forest cover type to another forest cover type unless an assessment has been conducted to determine ecological impacts and provide appropriate justification.

    Performance Measure 6.1. Certified Organizations shall have a program to identify special sites and manage and protect them in a manner appropriate for their unique features.

    Indicator 1. Use of information such as existing natural heritage data, expert advice or stakeholder consultation, or consultation with Indigenous Peoples in identifying or selecting special sites for protection.

    Performance Measure 14.1. Certified Organizations shall support and promote efforts by consulting foresters, state, provincial and federal agencies, state or local groups, professional societies, conservation organizations, Indigenous Peoples and governments, community groups, sporting organizations, labor, universities, extension agencies, the American Tree Farm System® and/or other landowner cooperative programs to apply principles of sustainable forest management.

    Performance Measure 14.2. Certified Organizations shall individually and/or through cooperative efforts involving SFI Implementation Committees support and promote, at the state, provincial or other appropriate levels, mechanisms for public outreach, education and involvement related to sustainable forest management.

    Performance Measure 14.3. Certified Organizations shall, individually and/or through cooperative efforts including SFI Implementation Committees, establish, at the state, provincial, or other appropriate levels, procedures to address concerns raised by loggers, consulting foresters, employees, unions, stakeholders, the public or other Certified Organizations regarding management that appears inconsistent with the SFI standards principles and objectives.

    Performance Measure 15.1. Certified Organizations with forest management responsibilities on public lands shall participate in the development of public land planning and management processes.

    2

  • DNSH 1 Climate change mitigation

    1. Afforestation plan and subsequent forest management plan or equivalent instrument (h) assessment of forest related risks, including forest fires, and pests and diseases outbreaks, with the aim of preventing, reducing and controlling the risks and measures deployed to ensure protection and adaptation against residual risks

    OBJECTIVE 2. FOREST HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY

    OBJECTIVE 10. FIRE RESILIENCE AND AWARENESS

    Performance Measure 2.4. Certified Organizations shall manage to protect forests from damaging agents, such as environmentally or economically undesirable levels of wildfire, pests, diseases, and invasive species, to maintain and improve long-term forest health, productivity, and economic viability.

    Indicator 1. Program to protect forests from damaging agents.

    Indicator 2. Management to promote healthy and productive forest conditions to reduce susceptibility to damaging agents.

    Indicator 3. Participation in, and support of, fire and pest prevention and control programs.

    Performance Measure 10.1 On the forests they own or manage, Certified Organizations shall limit susceptibility to undesirable impacts of wildfire, promote healthy and resilient forest conditions through management techniques, actions and/or policies, and support restoration of forests following wildfire damage.

    Indicator 1. Program to evaluate the risk of undesirable impacts of wildfire and the role of fire on the forests they own or manage.

    Indicator 2. Use of stand and landscape level management techniques, actions and/or policies to promote forest health and resilience, and to mitigate the likelihood of undesirable impacts of wildfire, such as, prescribed fire, cultural burning, thinning, or hazardous fuel reduction where appropriate based on risk.

    Indicator 3. Use of management techniques to address wildfire damage, mitigate negative impacts to water and soils, and to promote forest restoration and future forest resilience.

    2

  • DNSH 1 Climate change mitigation

    1. Afforestation plan and subsequent forest management plan or equivalent instrument (i) all DNSH criteria relevant to forest management.

    N/A

    See DNHS criteria below.

    N/A

  • DNSH 1 Climate change mitigation

    1. Afforestation plan and subsequent forest management plan or equivalent instrument 1.5. The activity follows the best afforestation practices laid down in national law, or, where no such best afforestation practices have been laid down in national law, the activity complies with one of the following criteria: (a) the activity complies with Delegated Regulation (EU) No 807/2014;

    OBJECTIVE 1. FOREST MANAGEMENT PLANNING

    Performance Measure 1.4. Certified Organizations shall not afforest in locations which negatively impact ecologically important natural communities, threatened and endangered species, or native natural communities which could be at risk of becoming rare.

    Indicator 1. Any afforestation activity must include an evaluation of the proposed site to determine the presence of: a. ecologically important natural communities, or b. threatened and endangered species, or c. native natural communities that could be at risk of becoming rare.

    Indicator 2. Afforestation shall not occur on that location if the evaluation determines a negative impact to: a. ecologically important natural communities, or b. threatened and endangered species, or c. native natural communities which could be at risk of becoming rare.

    1

  • DNSH 1 Climate change mitigation

    1. Afforestation plan and subsequent forest management plan or equivalent instrument (b) the activity follows the ‘Pan-European Guidelines for Afforestation and Reforestation with a special focus on the provisions of the UNFCCC’ (11).

    OBJECTIVE 1. FOREST MANAGEMENT PLANNING

    Performance Measure 1.4. Certified Organizations shall not afforest in locations which negatively impact ecologically important natural communities, threatened and endangered species, or native natural communities which could be at risk of becoming rare.

    1

  • DNSH 1 Climate change mitigation

    1. Afforestation plan and subsequent forest management plan or equivalent instrument 1.6. The activity does not involve the degradation of land with high carbon stock (12).

    OBJECTIVE 4. CONSERVATION OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

    Performance Measure 4.1. Certified Organizations shall conserve biological diversity.

    Indicator 1. Program to incorporate the conservation of biological diversity, including native species, wildlife habitats and ecological community types at stand and landscape levels, through the use of best scientific information including the incorporation of research results.

    Indicator 2. Development of criteria and implementation of practices, as guided by regionally based best scientific information, to retain stand-level wildlife habitat elements such as snags, stumps, mast trees, down woody debris, den trees and nest trees.

    Indicator 3. Program to individually and/or through cooperative efforts such as SFI Implementation Committees, support diversity of native forest cover types and age or size classes that enhance biological diversity, by incorporating the results of analysis of documented diversity at landscape and ownership/ tenure levels, to ensure the contribution of the managed area to the diversity of conditions that promote biodiversity.

    Indicator 6. Identification and protection of non-forested wetlands, including bogs, peatlands, fens and marshes, and vernal pools that are ecologically important.

    Indicator 8. Consider the role of natural disturbances, including opening size, structural retention, the use of prescribed or natural fire where appropriate, and forest health threats in relation to biological diversity when developing forest management plans.

    Performance Measure 4.2. Certified Organizations shall protect threatened and endangered species, critically imperiled and imperiled species (Forests with Exceptional Conservation Values), and natural communities, and old-growth forests.

    Indicator 1. Program to protect threatened and endangered species.

    Indicator 2. Program to locate and protect known sites of flora and fauna associated with viable occurrences of critically imperiled and imperiled species and ecological communities, defined as Forests with Exceptional Conservation Value. Programs for protection may be developed independently and/ or through cooperative efforts involving SFI Implementation Committees and may include Certified Organization managers, cooperation with other stakeholders, or use of easements, conservation land sales, exchanges, or other conservation strategies.

    Indicator 3. Support of and participation in programs for the conservation of old-growth forests in the region of ownership or forest tenure.

    2

  • DNSH 1 Climate change mitigation

    1. Afforestation plan and subsequent forest management plan or equivalent instrument 1.7. The management system associated with the activity in place complies with the due diligence obligation and legality requirements laid down in Regulation (EU) No 995/2010.

    OBJECTIVE 11. LEGAL AND REGULATORY COMPLIANCE

    Performance Measure 11.1. Certified Organizations shall comply with applicable federal, provincial, state, and local forestry and environmental laws and regulations.

    Indicator 1. Access to relevant laws and regulations.

    Indicator 2. System to achieve compliance with applicable federal, provincial, state, or local laws, and regulations.

    Indicator 3. Demonstration of commitment to legal compliance through available regulatory action information.

    Performance Measure 11.2. Certified Organizations shall comply with all applicable social laws at the federal, provincial, state, and local levels in the country in which the Certified Organization operates.

    Indicator 1. Written policy demonstrating commitment to comply with social laws, such as those covering civil rights, equal employment opportunities, gender equality, diversity inclusion, anti-discrimination and anti-harassment measures, workers’ compensation, Indigenous Peoples’ rights, workers’ and communities’ right to know, prevailing wages, workers’ right to organize, and occupational health and safety.

    Indicator 2. Forestry enterprises will respect the rights of workers and labor representatives in a manner that encompasses the intent of the International Labor Organization (ILO) core conventions.

    0

  • DNSH 1 Climate change mitigation

    1. Afforestation plan and subsequent forest management plan or equivalent instrument 1.8. The afforestation plan and the subsequent forest management plan or equivalent instrument provides for monitoring that ensures the correctness of the information contained in the plan, in particular as regards the data relating to the involved area.

    OBJECTIVE 1. FOREST MANAGEMENT PLANNING

    Performance Measure 1.1. Certified Organizations shall ensure that forest management plans include long-term harvest levels that are sustainable and consistent with appropriate growth-and-yield models.

    2

  • DNSH 1 Climate change mitigation

    2. Audit Within two years after the beginning of the activity and every 10 years thereafter, the compliance of the activity with the substantial contribution to climate change mitigation criteria and the DNSH criteria are verified by either of the following: (a) the relevant national competent authorities;

    OBJECTIVE 2. FOREST HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY

    Performance Measure 2.2. Certified Organizations shall have a program to minimize chemical use required to achieve management objectives while protecting employees, neighbors, the public and the environment, including wildlife and aquatic habitats.

    Indicator 4. Use of pesticides registered for the intended use and applied in accordance with label requirements.

    Indicator 5. The World Health Organization (WHO) type 1A and 1B pesticides shall be prohibited, except where no other viable alternative is available.

    Indicator 6. Use of pesticides banned under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (2001) shall be prohibited.

  • DNSH 1 Climate change mitigation

    2. Audit b) an independent third-party certifier, at the request of national authorities or the operator of the activity. In order to reduce costs, audits may be performed together with any forest certification, climate certification or other audit.

    N/A

    SFI carried forests are subject to an annual external third-party audits as per SFI Section 10

    2

  • DNSH 1 Climate change mitigation

    2. Audit The independent third-party certifier may not have any conflict of interest with the owner or the funder, and may not be involved in the devel­opment or operation of the activity.

    N/A

    Auditor conflict of interest addressed in SFI Section 10 and ISO 17021 which is a normative reference for SFI Section 10.

    2

  • DNSH 1 Climate change mitigation

    3. Group assessment The compliance with the DNSH criteria may be checked: (a) at the level of the forest sourcing area (13) level as defined by Directive (EU) 2018/2001;

    N/A

    N/A

    See D62

  • DNSH 1 Climate change mitigation

    3. Group assessment (b) at the level of a group of forest holdings sufficiently homogeneous to evaluate the risk of the sustainability of the forest activity, provided that all those holdings have a durable relationship between them and participate in the activity and the group of those holdings remains the same for all subsequent audits.

    N/A

    SFI requirements for group certification are addressed in SFI Section 10, Appendix 2

    1

  • DNSH 3 Sustainable use and protection of water and marine resources

    The activity complies with the criteria set out in Appendix B to this Annex. Detailed information referred to in point 1.2. (i) includes provisions to comply with the criteria set out in Appendix B to this Annex.

    OBJECTIVE 3. PROTECTION AND MAINTENANCE OF WATER RESOURCES

    Performance Measure 3.1. Certified Organizations shall meet or exceed all applicable federal, provincial, state and local water quality laws and meet or exceed best management practices.

    Performance Measure 3.2. Certified Organizations shall implement water, wetland, and riparian protection programs based on climate, soil type, terrain, vegetation, ecological function, harvesting system, state best management practices (BMPs), provincial guidelines and other applicable factors.

    1

  • DNSH 4 Transition to a circular economy

    N/A

    N/A

    N/A

    N/A

  • DNSH 5 Pollution prevention and control

    The use of pesticides is reduced and alternative approaches or techniques, which may include non-chemical alternatives to pesticides, are favored, in accordance with Directive 2009/128/EC, with exception of occasions where the use of pesticides is needed to control outbreaks of pests and of diseases.

    OBJECTIVE 2. FOREST HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY

    Performance Measure 2.2. Certified Organizations shall have a program to minimize chemical use required to achieve management objectives while protecting employees, neighbors, the public and the environment, including wildlife and aquatic habitats.

    Indicator 1. Pest management shall be implemented through the use of integrated pest management.

    1

  • DNSH 5 Pollution prevention and control

    The activity minimizes the use of fertilizers and does not use manure. The activity complies with Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 or national rules on fertilizers or soil improvers for agricultural use

    OBJECTIVE 2. FOREST HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY

    Performance Measure 2.2. Certified Organizations shall have a program to minimize chemical use required to achieve management objectives while protecting employees, neighbors, the public and the environment, including wildlife and aquatic habitats.

    Indicator 1. Pest management shall be implemented through the use of integrated pest management.

    1

  • DNSH 5 Pollution prevention and control

    Well documented and verifiable measures are taken to avoid the use of active ingredients that are listed in Annex I, part A, of Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 (14), the Rotterdam Convention on the prior informed consent procedure for certain hazardous chemicals and pesticides in international trade, the Minamata Convention on Mercury, the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, and of active ingredients that are listed as classification Ia (‘extremely hazardous’) or Ib (‘highly hazardous’) in the WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard (15). The activity complies with the relevant national law on active ingredients.

    OBJECTIVE 2. FOREST HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY

    Performance Measure 2.2. Certified Organizations shall have a program to minimize chemical use required to achieve management objectives while protecting employees, neighbors, the public and the environment, including wildlife and aquatic habitats.

    Indicator 4. Use of pesticides registered for the intended use and applied in accordance with label requirements.

    Indicator 5. The World Health Organization (WHO) type 1A and 1B pesticides shall be prohibited, except where no other viable alternative is available.

    Indicator 6. Use of pesticides banned under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (2001) shall be prohibited.

    1

  • DNSH 5 Pollution prevention and control

    Pollution of water and soil is prevented and cleaning up measures are undertaken when pollution occurs.

    OBJECTIVE 2. FOREST HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY

    OBJECTIVE 11. LEGAL AND REGULATORY COMPLIANCE

    Performance Measure 2.2. Certified Organizations shall have a program to minimize chemical use required to achieve management objectives while protecting employees, neighbors, the public and the environment, including wildlife and aquatic habitats.

    Performance Measure 11.1. Certified Organizations shall comply with applicable federal, provincial, state, and local forestry and environmental laws and regulations.

    N/A

  • DNSH 6 Protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems

    In areas designated by the national competent authority for conservation or in habitats that are protected, the activity is in accordance with the conservation objectives for those areas.

    OBJECTIVE 11. LEGAL AND REGULATORY COMPLIANCE

    Performance Measure 11.1. Certified Organizations shall comply with applicable federal, provincial, state, and local forestry and environmental laws and regulations.

    2

  • DNSH 6 Protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems

    There is no conversion of habitats specifically sensitive to biodiversity loss or with high conservation value, or of areas set aside for the restoration of such habitats in accordance with national law.

    OBJECTIVE 1. FOREST MANAGEMENT PLANNING

    OBJECTIVE 4. CONSERVATION OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

    Performance Measure 1.2. Certified Organizations shall not convert one forest cover type to another forest cover type unless an assessment has been conducted to determine ecological impacts and provide appropriate justification.

    Performance Measure 1.3. Certified Organizations shall not have within the scope of their certification to this SFI Standard, forest lands that have been converted to non-forest land use.

    Performance Measure 4.2. Certified Organizations shall protect threatened and endangered species, critically imperiled and imperiled species (Forests with Exceptional Conservation Values), and natural communities, and old-growth forests.

    2

  • DNSH 6 Protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems

    Detailed information referred to in points 1.2(k) (Afforestation plan) and 1.4(i) (Forest management plan or equivalent system) includes provisions for maintaining and possibly enhancing biodiversity in accordance with national and local provisions, including the following: (a) ensuring the good conservation status of habitat and species, main­ tenance of typical habitat species;

    OBJECTIVE 4. CONSERVATION OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

    Performance Measure 4.1. Certified Organizations shall conserve biological diversity.

    Performance Measure 4.2. Certified Organizations shall protect threatened and endangered species, critically imperiled and imperiled species (Forests with Exceptional Conservation Values), and natural communities, and old-growth forests.

    2

  • DNSH 6 Protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems

    (b) excluding the use or release of invasive species;

    OBJECTIVE 2. FOREST HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY

    Performance Measure 2.4. Certified Organizations shall manage to protect forests from damaging agents, such as environmentally or economically undesirable levels of wildfire, pests, diseases, and invasive species, to maintain and improve long-term forest health, productivity, and economic viability

    2

  • DNSH 6 Protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems

    (c) excluding the use of non-native species unless it can be demonstrated that: (i) the use of the forest reproductive material leads to favourable and appropriate ecosystem conditions (such as climate, soil criteria, and vegetation zone, forest fire resilience); (ii) the native species currently present on the site are not anymore adapted to projected climatic and pedo-hydrological conditions;

    OBJECTIVE 2. FOREST HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY

    Performance Measure 2.1. Certified Organizations shall promptly reforest after final harvest.

    2

  • DNSH 6 Protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems

    (d) ensuring the maintenance and improvement of physical, chemical and biological quality of the soil;

    OBJECTIVE 2. FOREST HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY

    Performance Measure 2.3. Certified Organizations shall implement practices that protect and maintain forest and soil productivity and soil health.

    2

  • DNSH 6 Protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems

    (e) promoting biodiversity-friendly practices that enhance forests’ natural processes;

    OBJECTIVE 2. FOREST HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY

    OBJECTIVE 3. PROTECTION AND MAINTENANCE OF WATER RESOURCES

    OBJECTIVE 4. CONSERVATION OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

    Performance Measure 2.1. Certified Organizations shall promptly reforest after final harvest.

    Performance Measure 2.2. Certified Organizations shall have a program to minimize chemical use required to achieve management objectives while protecting employees, neighbors, the public and the environment, including wildlife and aquatic habitats.

    Performance Measure 2.3. Certified Organizations shall implement practices that protect and maintain forest and soil productivity and soil health.

    Performance Measure 2.4. Certified Organizations shall manage to protect forests from damaging agents, such as environmentally or economically undesirable levels of wildfire, pests, diseases, and invasive species, to maintain and improve long-term forest health, productivity, and economic viability.

    Performance Measure 2.5. Certified Organizations that deploy improved planting stock, including varietal seedlings, shall use best scientific methods.

    Performance Measure 3.1. Certified Organizations shall meet or exceed all applicable federal, provincial, state and local water quality laws and meet or exceed best management practices.

    Performance Measure 3.2. Certified Organizations shall implement water, wetland, and riparian protection programs based on climate, soil type, terrain, vegetation, ecological function, harvesting system, state best management practices (BMPs), provincial guidelines and other applicable factors

    Performance Measure 4.1. Certified Organizations shall conserve biological diversity.

    Performance Measure 4.2. Certified Organizations shall protect threatened and endangered species, critically imperiled and imperiled species (Forests with Exceptional Conservation Values), and natural communities, and old-growth forests.

    Performance Measure 4.3. Certified Organizations shall manage to protect ecologically important sites in a manner that takes into account their unique qualities.

    Performance Measure 4.4. Certified Organizations shall apply knowledge gained through research, science, technology, field experience and the results of monitoring of the effectiveness of conservation-related programs to manage wildlife habitat and contribute to the conservation of biological diversity.

    2

  • DNSH 6 Protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems

    (f) excluding the conversion of high-biodiverse ecosystems into less biodiverse ones;

    OBJECTIVE 1. FOREST MANAGEMENT PLANNING

    Performance Measure 1.2. Certified Organizations shall not convert one forest cover type to another forest cover type unless an assessment has been conducted to determine ecological impacts and provide appropriate justification.

    2

  • DNSH 6 Protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems

    (g) ensuring the diversity of associated habitats and species linked to the forest;

    OBJECTIVE 4. CONSERVATION OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

    Performance Measure 4.1. Certified Organizations shall conserve biological diversity.

    Performance Measure 4.2. Certified Organizations shall protect threatened and endangered species, critically imperiled and imperiled species (Forests with Exceptional Conservation Values), and natural communities, and old-growth forests.

    Performance Measure 4.3. Certified Organizations shall manage to protect ecologically important sites in a manner that takes into account their unique qualities.

    Performance Measure 4.4. Certified Organizations shall apply knowledge gained through research, science, technology, field experience and the results of monitoring of the effectiveness of conservation-related programs to manage wildlife habitat and contribute to the conservation of biological diversity.

    2

  • DNSH 6 Protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems

    (h) ensuring the diversity of stand structures and maintenance or enhancing of mature stage stands and dead wood.

    OBJECTIVE 4. CONSERVATION OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

    Performance Measure 4.1. Certified Organizations shall conserve biological diversity.

    Indicator 2. Development of criteria and implementation of practices, as guided by regionally based best scientific information, to retain stand-level wildlife habitat elements such as snags, stumps, mast trees, down woody debris, den trees and nest trees.

    2