CLIMATE MITIGATION – CONSERVATION FORESTRY

2.1) Net balance of GHG emissions/removals over a period of 30 years vs. Baseline* 2.1. For areas that comply with the requirements at forest sourcing area level to ensure that carbon stocks and sinks levels in the forest are maintained or strengthened over the long term in accordance with Article 29(7), point (b), of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 the activity complies with the following criteria: a. the climate benefit analysis demonstrates that the net balance of GHG emissions and removals generated by the activity over a period of 30 years after the beginning of the activity is lower than a baseline, corresponding to the balance of GHG emissions and removals over a period of 30 years starting at the beginning of the activity, associated to the business-as-usual practices that would have occurred on the involved area in the absence of the activity;

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) Proof of alignment with Article 29(7), point (b), of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 2.1. b. long-term climate benefits are considered demonstrated by proof of alignment with Article 29(7), point (b), of Directive (EU) 2018/2001

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.

2.3) Net balance of GHG emissions/removals over projected long-term period, between 100 years and entire forest cycle 2.2. b. the projected long-term average net GHG balance of the activity is lower than the long-term average GHG balance projected for the baseline, referred to in point 2.2, where long term corresponds to the longer duration between 100 years and the duration of an entire forest cycle.

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.

3.1) Forest status is guaranteed by classification (chose) 3.1. In accordance with national law, the forest status of the area in which the activity takes place is guaranteed by one of the following measures: a. the area is classified in the permanent forest estate as defined by the FAO(46); b. the area is classified as a protected area; c. the area is the subject of any legal or contractual guarantee ensuring that it will remain a forest.

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.

3.2) Commitment on future updates to the forest management and to compensate any reduction in the climate benefit 3.2. In accordance with national law, the operator of the activity commits that future updates to the forest management plan or equivalent instrument, beyond the activity that is financed, will continue to seek the climate benefits as determined in point 2. Besides, the operator of the activity commits to compensate any reduction in the climate benefit determined in point 2 with an equivalent climate benefit resulting from the conduct of an activity that corresponds to one of the forestry activities defined in this Regulation.

The SFI 2022 Forest Management Standard does require long-term sustainable management of forests, but it cannot account for future disposition of forest lands to a new owner. They can be no way to guarantee ongoing financing of the climate benefits after a change in ownership.

5.1) Alignment of criteria on group holding or forest sourcing area 5. The compliance with the criteria for substantial contribution to climate change mitigation and with DNSH criteria may be checked: a. at the level of the forest sourcing area(47) as defined in Article 2, point (30), of Directive (EU) 2018/2001; b. at the level of a group of 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.

SFI has three standards that address forest sustainability and therefore address climate change mitigation.

-SFI 2022 Forest Management Standard -SFI Small Lands Group Certification Module -SFI Small Scale Forest Management Module for Indigenous Peoples and Families

DNSH4 - Circular Economy The silvicultural change induced by the activity on the area covered by the activity is not likely to result in a significant reduction of sustainable supply of primary forest biomass suitable for the manufacturing of wood-based products with long-term circularity potential; this criterion may be demonstrated through the climate benefits analysis referred to in point (2) The silvicultural change induced by the activity on the area covered by the activity is not likely to result in a significant reduction of sustainable supply of primary forest biomass suitable for the manufacturing of wood-based products with long-term circularity potential. This criterion may be demonstrated through the climate benefits analysis referred to in point (2).

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

DNSH5 (3) - Pollution Prevention Pollution of water and soil is prevented and cleaning up measures are undertaken when pollution occurs. Pollution of water and soil is prevented and cleaning up measures are undertaken when pollution occurs.

DNSH6 (1) - Biodiversity 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; 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 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. 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.