Sustainable forestry in all dimensions

Selective logging is not at all equivalent to sustainable forestry. FSC/PEFC-certified tropical forest management as practiced by Precious Woods is based on careful planning and selection of the trees to be harvested, without endangering the diversity of tree species, the stocks, or the regenerative capacity. Average logging at Precious Woods is 1 to 3 trees per hectare during a cycle of 25 or 35 years. The legal foundations would permit a far higher logging quota, which would also result in lower costs. But this is not an option for Precious Woods, because we would then be unable to fulfil our environmental or social responsibility. Our activities are independently verified each year and documented by scientific studies. In this way, we can demonstrate that timber can be harvested in tropical forests without negatively affecting or endanger the ecosystem. Thanks to this insight, it is possible to secure employment and generate local added value even in remote regions of emerging countries.

At the same time, Precious Woods makes a wide range of contributions to improving local earning opportunities. Precious Woods ensures social added value not only through the creation of jobs, but also through targeted basic and continuing on-the-job training in Brazil and Gabon, schools, health clinics, as well as other infrastructure in remote tropical forest areas. In doing so, the company makes an important contribution to economic and social development and stability in these regions. Precious Woods actively aims to improve the living conditions of its employees, their families, and the communities.

Added value in ecological terms means managing Precious Woods’ forest areas consistently with sustainable practices to preserve these renewable natural resources – including their biodiversity – also for future generations. The social and environmental engagement of Precious Woods is also described in detail in the reports on the individual business segments.