Why is sustainable forestry important?
Forests provide us with economic and social benefits, like timber and jobs. They also have natural benefits. They're a home for wildlife and plants, and they improve water and soil.
We need to look after our forests to keep these benefits. Managing our forests sustainably helps us do this. We can get the resources we need, while protecting our forests for future generations.
There is also more demand from overseas markets for sustainably produced wood products. We need to make sure our forestry is sustainable to stay in these markets.
What is the Montréal Process?
The Montréal Process is a way to measure sustainable forest management. It’s an international system that countries volunteer to take part in.
The process offers a framework for countries to assess how sustainable their forest management is. The framework uses criteria for countries to report on their progress.
The criteria are based on sustainability practices. Some of these are:
- protecting water resources
- protecting soil
- maintaining and enhancing social and economic benefits
- looking after the forest’s health
- protecting biodiversity.
New Zealand uses the Montréal Process to guide forest management here.
New Zealand's Montréal Process reports
New Zealand has produced 3 Montréal Process reports since 2003.
New Zealand's third country report on the Montreal Process (2015) [PDF, 7.4 MB]
New Zealand's second country report on the Montreal Process (2008) [PDF, 13 MB]
New Zealand's first country report on the Montreal Process (2003) [PDF, 961 KB]
New Zealand overview report, 2003 [PDF, 246 KB]
The Montréal Process Sydney Initiative
The Sydney Initiative encourages Montréal Process members to discuss forest degradation. The work is being co-led by New Zealand and Canada, and focuses on:
- how to use criteria to identify forest degradation
- how they describe forest degradation in their countries
- using the Montréal Process to report on forest degradation.
Who to contact
If you have questions about the Montréal Process, email info@mpi.govt.nz
