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specifiers, journalists, influencers, and players in the timber industry with themed carousels featuring interactive stories real-life experiences in the tropical timber sector. It also involved collaborations with specialist press on sustainable development to reinforce its key messages to the marketplace. “Initially the campaign has been in French, but we are looking for the funds to extend the campaign to the anglophone world,” said Ms Bouville. The execution is built around a series of educational visuals with the campaign addressing key themes such as climate change, biodiversity, the benefits of certification, the fight against illegal trade, the natural qualities of tropical wood, its life cycle, the importance of labels, and the social value of a sustainable tropical timber industry and its role in supporting local communities. The various themes include how sustainably managed tropical forest for timber production helps protect flora and fauna diversity, home as tropical forests are to 50% of terrestrial species. Also, in focus is how using a wider range of lesser- known species further underpins forest sustainability, supports species diversity and makes third-party certification more viable and how sustainable management supports conservation and natural forest regeneration. The campaign looks too at how giving the forest added value through sustainable timber production disincentivises local communities from converting it to agriculture or agro- forest plantations.


“Through this campaign, designed as a major communication event, we want to set the record straight and remind players in the timber industry, as well as public, private, and international decision-makers, that choosing FSC or PEFC-certified tropical timber means both taking action to preserve forests and encouraging an industry that respects and creates value for the local communities where this timber comes from,” said Ms Bouville. This campaign is part of the action programme of Fair&Precious; the collective brand launched in 2016 by ATIBT to promote tropical wood from sustainably managed certified forests. Fair&Precious supporters undertake 10 commitments, to:


• Manage and protect tropical forests to combat global warming


• Preserve tropical forest resources by harvesting less than the natural growth rate


• Develop knowledge about biodiversity to facilitate the repopulation of species


• Ensure preservation of the habitat of tropical wildlife


• Implement programmes to combat poaching


• Contribute to the well-being of populations by facilitating their access to education,


healthcare, and housing


Above left: The product types featured in the guide include timber frames and timber structures Above right: The ATIBT campaign urges specifiers to challenge their preconceptions about tropical timber


www.ttjonline.com | November/December 2025 | TTJ


• Stimulate the economies of producing countries by promoting the value of forests


and prioritising local wood processing


• Provide training in forestry and woodworking


• Provide technical knowledge on the diversity of tropical species and their uses


• Promote the responsible purchase of an exceptional material – tropical timber.


The new guide on using primarily Central African tropical timber in construction is also initially aimed at a French audience, with particular reference to France’s building codes and standard. But more broadly it looks at the wider performance of tropical timber used in building, its potential applications and use classes. “Another objective is to support and promote the process of eco-certification, sustainable forest management, and, consequently, the long-term viability of the [tropical timber sector],” said ATIBT. “To achieve this, the Guide highlights to public decision-makers the value and benefits of certified tropical timber, providing arguments to communicate with the general public and enhance understanding of the eco- certification process and the importance of its widespread adoption.”


The guide looks at performance and functional requirements to be defined for technical specifications documents covering 13 families of tropical timber product, addressing such factors as mechanical resistance, stability, natural durability against biological degradation agents, use classes and appearance.


The product types are:


• Terraces, decking, and flooring • Docks, bridges, and pathways over water


• Stairs and tiered decking


• Guardrails, handrails, and other vertical fall protection systems


• Windows, exterior doors, and shutters • Cladding and exterior finishes • Urban furniture • Outdoor furniture • Landscaping structures and constructions • Interior parquet and timber flooring • Interior finishes • Marine engineering products • And timber frames and timber structures.


The guide also looks at broader themes such as the main causes of deforestation in the tropics, legal harvesting and sustainable management and the latter for the environment and local communities. The publication, said ATIBT, will be regularly updated and future editions could include additional product categories such as glulam structural frames, indoor staircases interior furniture and cabinetry, screens, bridges and structures designed to be in contact with soil or fresh water, plus timber for boat building.


“Expanding this guide to include tropical timber from regions beyond Africa would also help strengthen and broaden the promotion of certified tropical timber among decision makers, raise awareness of the eco-certification process and reinforce the case for its widespread adoption,” said ATIBT.


Created in 1951, ATIBT has over 170 members, including companies, governments, institutions, NGOs, and research centres, “committed to the sustainable management of tropical forests and legal, ethical, and responsible trade”. It is a partner of international organisations including the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation and the International Tropical Timber Organisation and describes itself as a “key player in the dialogue on the future of tropical forests and their role in combating climate change”. ■


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