The problematic social dimension of sustainable development: the case of the Forest Stewardship Council

Abstract

There is broad support worldwide for the concept of sustainable development and the integration of its three pillars: economic development, environmental protection and social development. Nevertheless, previous research shows substantial difficulties associated with fully incorporating and operationalising social sustainability features in various sectors. The present article aims to explore further the reasons why incorporation of social sustainability aspects appears to pose a challenge. The article has a twofold explorative aim. First, the aim is to identify opportunities/benefits or difficulties/detriments that emerge when actors try to incorporate social aspects into sustainability projects. Second, the article probes for explanations for the observed challenges. This is done by referring to a case study examining how the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has attempted to incorporate social sustainability goals, principles and criteria. Using qualitative interviews, FSC-related documents, participant observation, as well as previous research, the article examines the successes and challenges associated with including social sustainability features in the standards and certification process. Observed achievements and difficulties are highlighted in relation to four general aspects: (1) improvement of substantive social sustainability goals; (2) local organisation, empowerment and employment; (3) communication; and (4) small-scale and community-based forestry. The article suggests and analyses eight reasons for these challenges, which relate to discursive, structural or organisational aspects. The findings presented here may also be useful in attempts to understand other similar integrative transnational and/or local sustainability projects.

Keywords:

• sustainable development
• sustainability projects
• social sustainability
• Forest Stewardship Council
• certification
• standards
• environmental justice

Acknowledgements

This article is based on a study conducted within the research project The Missing Pillar: Incorporating the Social Dimension in Transnational Sustainability Projects, which was funded by The Swedish Research Council Formas. My work with this case study benefitted much from discussions and collaboration with persons that either worked in this project or related their own research to it: Jessica Lindvert, Mikael Klintman, Ida Seing, Linda Soneryd, Sara Söderström, Kristina Tamm Hallström, Renita Thedvall and Åsa Casula Vifell. I furthermore thank all persons who very kindly offered their time and agreed to being interviewed.

Notes

1. A longer version of this case study is reported in Boström (2010).

2. See http://www.fsc.org/pcreview.html [cited 2010 October 4].

3. http://www.fsc.org/about-fsc.html [cited 2010 November 17].

4. Russia is defined as South.

5. http://www.fsc.org/dualcert.html [cited 2010 October 2].

6. See http://www.fsc.org/worldwide_locations.html [cited 2010 April 13].

7. Figures taken from a newsletter issued by the FSC, Volume 7, Issue 11.