The vertical integration strategy in South Africa was initiatied because of ongoing shortages of industrial-grade timber. The strategy was to secure sustainable timber plantations for supply to sawmills. CHEP is cultivating regenerative, sustainably managed forests certified by the most credible global forestry certification standards. Forestry certification promotes the following landscape practices: 

• Absorb carbon and produce oxygen
• Mitigate severe weather events, reduce wind speed and prevent soil erosion and reduce climate-change-related risks
• Contribute to holistic biodiversity outcomes, e.g. filtering water and holding moisture, providing base inflows for wetlands and waterways
• Offer employment and sustainable livelihoods for communities 
• Increase productivity of farmland through agroforestry

How forest management certification improves biodiversity

Forest management certification confirms that the forest is being managed in a way that preserves biological diversity and benefits local people and workers’ lives while ensuring it sustains economic viability.

Forest Management includes requirements for the promotion of afforestation and reforestation through native or non‑native species, where these are well adapted and non-harmful to site conditions and contribute to ecological connectivity. Harvesting activity needs to include actions preventing negative impacts on ecosystem functions, among the most important: carbon sequestration, protection of water courses and soil resources and conservation of biological diversity.