FSC certification in Malta : overcoming obstacles and winning support

Abstract

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a private governance system responsible for the sustainability of the world's forests through the certification of such forests and resulting forestry products. The aim of this study is to analyse the impact and views on FSC-certified paper in Malta and to point out the various obstacles they involve and possible solutions for winning support. In order to do so, a number of texts were examined in order to investigate what were the main sources that led to the introduction of such an organisation, the public's views on FSC-certified materials and the obstacles and financial impact of such products from a business perspective. In addition to this, in-depth interviews were carried out with local printing presses and members of the general public to gather their own views and to observe if any patterns exist. By doing so, conclusions could be made about the current state of the industry and all the barriers and problems such a system entails from a business and consumer perspective - with the aim of suggesting solutions in order to overcome such obstacles and win support.