Implementing TPP: lessons learned in
the Netherlands
Mark van Benthem, Probos / IDH Sustainable Trade
Initiative
Content
1. Dutch TPP & goals
2. Achievements
© Mark van Benthem, Probos
3. Key unlocking moves
4. Challenges:
1. NL
2. EU
5. EU STTC
Dutch TPP & goals
What is sustainable?
• Timber products that meet Dutch Timber
Procurement Criteria
– Timber Procurement Assessment System (TPAS);
– Assessment of certification systems by Timber
Procurement Assessmment Committee (TPAC)
– TPAC: experts representing different interests (3 P’s)
www.tpac.smk.nl
Dutch TPP & goals
Systems accepted within NL TPP (10/6/13):
– FSC & PEFC (except MTCS)
© Mark van Benthem, Probos
Dutch TPP & goals
• Governmental targets:
as of 2010:
– Central governement 100%;
– Provinces and Waterboard districts 50% (100%
in 2015);
– Local authorities 75% (100% in 2015)
• Goals within framework biodiversity policy:
– In 2011 50% of all (primary) timber products
on NL market sourced from SFM
Achievements
• % of ‘TPAC proof’ timber products in
governmental contracts:
– Criteria in contracts: to a large extent
– SFM timber in projects: to a lesser extent
• Market: 50 % sustainable produced timber in 2011
– 2011: 65,7% (Probos, 2013)
– 2008: 33,8% (Probos, 2010)
– 2005: 13,3% (Probos, 2006)
Key unlocking moves
• Public pressure
• Development of TPP
• Raising awareness (Helpdesk, updates, etc) & training
• Private sector commitment (NTTA, GD, etc.)
• Monitoring of progress
• Development of tools:
– Standard contract clauses
– Online wood database (www.houtdatabase.nl)
– Etc.
Main challenges NL
1) Use of legally sound contract provisions
2) Check whether contracts are met
3) Does NL policy meet EU policy?
4) What to do with FLEGT-licensed timber in TPP?
( 5. Continuity in communication)
Challenges EU
1) Lack of a common EU framework
Lack of common framework leads to:
1) confusion for public tenders
2) confusion in timber producing countries
© Mark van Benthem, Probos
Challenges EU
• In EU: UK, DK,
NL, BE, GER,
FR have TPP
Policies, content
varies per
country
• Other EU
countries are in
the process or
have criteria for
some categories
(IT, SP, SW,
PL, FI)
Timber PP
Policies
In process or
limited scope
Challenges EU
2) Relatively few MS have TPP; TPP policies =>
driver for SFM:
a. PAs spend app. 19% of the EU’s GDP (EC, 2011)
b. 20-40% private investments depend on public
choices
c. Influence private market
=> However buying power EU decreases
Consumption of tropical sawnwood
and tropical plywood (EU27)
From 2000 to 2011 (in m³ product total and 5 year averages)
(source: JFSQ database for 2000-2010 and Eurostat for 2011, adjusted by Probos)
3,000,000
Tropical
sawnwood
2,500,000
2,000,000
Tropical
sawnwood
(average)
1,500,000
Tropical plywood
1,000,000
Tropical plywood
(average)
500,000
0
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
Imports of tropical sawnwood by
8 EU MS
Decreasing
EU imports
of
tropical
timber
Compiled by Probos, 2013
Growth of the Middle Classes
Global Middle Class for 2009 & prediction for 2030
Source: OECD, Standard Chartered Research
Shared ambition of key players in the EU:
To accelerate demand for certified or licensed timber from
sustainably managed tropical forests to the tipping point of 30% and
to put to a halt to declining use of tropical timber in the EU, through
bundling demand and creating synergies between legality and
sustainability efforts.
EU STTC as source of support for realizing
individual and combined ambitions
• EU STTC provides a platform for cooperation, sharing knowledge
and experiences, providing practical tools and strategies.
• Working groups on various topics:
– Promoting tropical timber on the EU market;
– Legality and sustainability;
– PR and communication;
– Business encounters;
– Technical issues.
• Co-funded services on various topics for companies & authorities
joining the STTC:
– Communication: PR, materials, etc.
– Networking: learning and business encounters.
– Technical support: consultancy and training.
Mapping of available tools for
developing and implementing TPP
www.sustainable-timber-action.org/resource-database
Get informed - Spot the opportunities - Join the coalition
www.eusttc.com
Mark van Benthem (mark.vanbenthem@probos.nl)
Anne van Steenoven (vansteenoven@idhsustainabletrade.com)
(potential) Lead partners: ICLEI, COPADE, ETTF, FSC International, PEFC
International, GIZ, ATIBT, etc.
Sustainable produced timber, you
find it here!
www.houtdatabase.nl
200 timberspecies and panelboards, connected with:
- availability with certificate (TPAC-proof = meets the
Dutch procurement criteria for sustainable produced timber)
- their uses (incl. demonstration projects);
- suppliers (TPAC, CoC)
3 points of entry: 1) housing; 2) waterworks; 3) boards
e.g. wood for waterworks
70 species (TPAC)
Only TPAC proof timber
Extended search options (for
waterworks):
1) uses (15, conform NPR 5493)
2) Physical and mechanical
properties
(7 categories, 22 subcategories)
e.g. use:
Sheetpile wall
50 timber species (TPAC
proof), suitable for
Sheetpile walls
e.g. Iroko: technical timber
properties and availability
with certificate
Uses of Iroko in waterworks,
incl. demonstration projects
Suppliers (TPAC CoC)
Sustainable produced timber, you
find it here!
www.houtdatabase.nl
(Global) developments
1. Economic crises in Europe
‒ Collapse construction sector
2. EUTR (and simular legislation in other
environmentally consciouness countries)
© Mark van Benthem, Probos
Impact Lacey Act
Development wooden furniture exports by China to
the US and countries without legal wood legislation
Source: Ivan Eastin, Centre for international trade in forest products, 2012
(Global) developments
3. Emerging economies (BRICS)
Domestic consumption of primary forest products in major
consumer countries in 2011
Source: European Forest Institute
Growth of the Middle Classes
Global Middle Class for 2009 & prediction for 2030
Source: OECD, Standard Chartered Research
(Global) developments
4. Image of tropical timber: switch to substitutes
© Pixabay.com
© Mark van Benthem, Probos
(Global) developments
5. Fashion
© Mark van Benthem, Probos