SBP-Endorsed Regional Risk Assessment for Denmark
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SBP-endorsed Regional Risk Assessment for Denmark Focusing on sustainable sourcing solutions June 2017 Document history Published 29 June 2017 © Copyright Sustainable Biomass Program Limited 2017 SBP-endorsed Regional Risk Assessment for Denmark Page ii Focusing on sustainable sourcing solutions Contents Abbreviations............................................................................................................................................. iv Foreword ..................................................................................................................................................... v 1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 1 2 Scope and regional background .................................................................................................... 2 3 Methodology ..................................................................................................................................... 5 4 Stakeholder consultation ................................................................................................................ 7 5 Conclusions .................................................................................................................................... 18 Annex 1: Detailed findings for Supply Base Evaluation indicators ..................................................... 19 Annex 2: List of experts consulted and contacts of Working Body .................................................... 68 Annex 3: List of publications used ......................................................................................................... 69 Annex 4: List of stakeholders ................................................................................................................. 74 Annex 5: Stakeholder consultation report ............................................................................................. 77 SBP-endorsed Regional Risk Assessment for Denmark Page iii Focusing on sustainable sourcing solutions Abbreviations CWTC - FSC Controlled Wood Technical Committee CITES – Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species or Wild Fauna and Flora ETUC – European Trade Union Confederation FM – Forest Management FMU – Forest Management Unit FAO – Food and Agriculture Organisation FSC – Forest Stewardship Council FSC NRAF – FSC National Risk Assessments Frameworks GMO – Genetically Modified Organism HCV – High Conservation Values ILO – International Labour Organisation ITUC – International Trade Union Confederation DKK – Danish Kroner NGO – Non-governmental Organisation PEFC – Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification SBE – Supply Base Evaluation SBP – Sustainable Biomass Program VAT – Value Add Tax WKH – Woodland Key Habitats SBP-endorsed Regional Risk Assessment for Denmark Page iv Focusing on sustainable sourcing solutions Foreword Regional Risk Assessments (RRAs) are a key part of the Sustainable Biomass Program’s (SBP’s) focus on identifying and mitigating risks associated with sustainably sourcing feedstock for biomass pellet and woodchip production. The SBP certification system is designed to provide assurance that feedstock is sourced legally and sustainably. Feedstock certified at the forest level through Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) or Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) schemes is considered SBP-compliant. All other feedstock must be evaluated using a risk-based approach if it is to count towards a SBP-compliant claim. The Biomass Producer, tyically a pellet mill or woodchip producer, is responsible for carrying out the risk assessment and putting in place mitigation measures to manage any specified risks such that the risks can be considered as being controlled and hence low risk. It is the role of an independent, third-party Certification Body (CB), approved by SBP, to check that the feedstock evaluation has been correctly undertaken and that any mitigation measures are being effectively implemented. The purpose of a RRA is to evaluate an entire geographic region and determine the risks associated with sourcing feedstock for biomass pellet or woodchip production from that region. Thus, the need for individual Biomass Producers to conduct risk assessments is avoided and, therefore, consistency between Biomass Producers’ risk assessments guaranteed. The SBP RRA procedure also ensures active engagement with a diverse range of stakeholders in the region. The SBP Regional Risk Assessment (RRA) Procedure specifies the requirements and processes that must be followed to develop and endorse SBP risk assessments of regions or countries. The Procedure requires that a Working Body (WB) be appointed by SBP to conduct an RRA. Having sufficient, suitably qualified staff to perform the risk assessment, demonstrated competence with the SBP certification system, and relevant knowledge of the language, laws and customs of Denmark, NEPCon was appointed as the WB responsible for conducting the RRA for Denmark. A team of NEPCon national and international experts facilitated the risk assessment work. The main coordinator of this risk assessment was NEPCon Forest Management and Chain of Custody lead auditor and project manager, Michael K Jakobsen, who has extensive knowledge of the Forest management certification standards for Denmark as well as the FSC Controlled Wood system. Several stakeholders were consulted in the process and information was obtained from verbal and written public and private sources. SBP-endorsed Regional Risk Assessment for Denmark Page v Focusing on sustainable sourcing solutions 1 Introduction This SBP risk assessment has been prepared on the request of the organisations listed below who have provided financial support for developing the National (Regional) Risk Assessment in accordance with SBP Regional Risk Assessment Procedure v1.0. Dansk Energi, Dansk Fjernvarme, Dansk Skovforening, Danske Maskinstationer og Entreprenører (DM&E), De Danske Skovdyrkerforeninger, HedeDanmark, DSHWood, BF Skovflis, Lindenborg Skovselskab, Brahetrolleborg Skov og Landbrug, Natur Biomasse, Skovbygaard, Haderup Skovservice, Skovbyholm Grønt. The risk assessment work was facilitated by a team of NEPCon national and international experts. The main coordinator of this risk assessment was NEPCon Forest Management lead auditor and project manager, Michael Jakobsen. Several stakeholders were consulted in the process and information was obtained from verbal and written public and private sources. The risk assessment was reviewed and approved by NEPCon Biomass Program manager, Ondřej Tarabus, on 17 October 2016. The risk assessment was reviewed and approved by the SBP Technical Committee on 19 April 2017 and approved by the SBP Chief Executive Officer on 19 June 2017. SBP-endorsed Regional Risk Assessment for Denmark Page 1 Focusing on sustainable sourcing solutions 2 Scope and regional background The scope of this assessment covers the entire territory of Denmark (see the map below). The terrestrial environment of Denmark is divided between two EU biogeographical regions by means of a north-south divide through the middle of the Jutland Peninsula: 1) the Atlantic region, covering the western part of Jutland and the Continental region, and 2) the Continental region covering the eastern part of Jutland and Denmark’s islands. These regions are used by the Danish Nature Agency under the Ministry of the Environment and Food to the EU Commission to report on the status and management results of Natura 2000 conservation areas. This SBP Regional Risk Assessment covers only primary feedstock, sawmills and other timber industry entities, importing feedstock and producing feedstock during timber processing, are sources of secondary or tertiary feedstock and such feedstock is excluded from this Regional Risk Assessment. In the early 1800s, the forest cover in Denmark is estimated to have been as low as 3-4% of the total land area. Deforestation was caused by logging for timber and firewood and for animal grazing areas. Denmark’s first forest legislation came into force in 1805. Its main objective and that of subsequent Danish forest acts, has been to maintain the forest covered area and to protect the existing forest from over-exploitation, premature felling and grazing by farm animals. In the mid-nineteenth century, intensive forest management became widespread and large afforestation projects were carried out. Today approximately 14% (615,000 hectares) of Denmark’s land area is covered by various types of forest. According to the Danish Nation Forest Inventory, conducted by the Danish Nature Agency, 41% of Denmark’s forest area is dominated by broadleaved trees, 39% by coniferous tree species, 11% by a mixed coniferous and broadleaved tree species, 5% are Christmas tree plantation (located within all the above forest types) and 4% of the area is unstocked, e.g., log loading and landing yards, fire prevention areas etc. Furthermore, 67% of the Danish forest area is covered with even-aged planted stands with 9% being even- aged stands from natural regeneration and 6% of the forest area is uneven-aged natural forest. The latter represent pockets of forest that would be closest to what is considered as natural forest stands having retained or regained natural forest characteristics; which can be found in forests both under private and public ownership and they are predominantly located in the Continental region