These five companies process around 20 per cent of the world's industrial wood. The five largest wood buyers are Home Depot, Lowes, IKEA, Kimberly-Clark and Proctor and Gamble. But responsible forest management is crucial. If the top 10 global forestry processors and buyers all insisted on FSC certification, this would be a big step towards securing the future of the world's forests. Aside from helping to remove carbon dioxide and other pollutants from the atmosphere, forests stabilize soils, reduce the risks of erosion and run off into rivers, and are often home to a rich variety of wildlife.
Forests provide food, shelter and medicines.
WWF is encouraged by the Global Forest and Trade Network's growing membership, which is expected to top 1,000 companies by the end of 2001. WWF believes that the commitment of all of the top 10 companies would provide the incentive and the pressure to make the industry change. The benefits to industry are persuasive, said Elliott. Sustainable forestry would assure raw material supplies for the future. It would enhance the reputation of the forestry industry and rebuild the confidence of consumers and investors, he added.