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The objective of The Amazon Alternative (TAA) is to FSC certify 2.5 million ha of tropical forest in Brazil, Peru and Bolivia (the Amazon region) and to increase the volume of Amazon FSC timber on domestic, Dutch and European timber markets. Furthermore, TAA works on a number of additional supporting strategies, such as efficiency increase and improving value chain finance. The core objective however is to significantly increase the amount of Amazon forest, that is sustainably managed.

Amazon timber producers

TAA works with different producers in Peru, Bolivia and Brazil. TAA co finances various steps in their preparation for certification of their forest management and improving their business case.

These forest managers are our direct link with the tropical forest. Their decision to go for FSC-certification, being a community, small producer or large concession holder is key to the expansion of FSC timber on the world market.

Local processing

TAA works with local processors because they are important players for the FSC tropical timber chain. They often have strategic alliances with local producers, from whom they buy the timber. Others have their own forest concessions. TAA co finances various steps in their preparation for certification of their Chain of Custody and improving their business case.

Processing can imply only the first transformation from log to board, but also further industrialization to final products like window frames, flooring, furniture or garden set.

Transport, trading and brokering

The link between exporters and importers is realized by agents, brokers and traders. In general, a broker is an independent agent who’s services are used extensively in some industries. The prime responsibility of a broker is to bring sellers and buyers together. TAA promotes service provision by specialized brokers to improve the sustainable tropical timber chain.

Timber importers and traders

FSC specialized importers translate the demand from the different timber purchasing markets (from road construction to garden centers) to actual volumes that are purchased. They work closely with local agents and manage a stock of FSC timber

TAA facilitates contact with local brokers, information about concessions and volumes and cooperates in the promotion of lesser known species.

European processors

Some of the processors in The Netherlands and other countries opt to process most of their products abroad, others do the transformation in The Netherlands. Nowadays we find FSC certified boards, flooring, furniture, doors, frames, garden products and kitchens in the European market.

TAA promotes the products for example to raise awareness with consumers about day to day FSC-certified products.

Retail

The retail sector is the direct link with the final consumer. Their option to offer only certified wood would make a significant change at the world market for FSC tropical timber.

TAA informs about the origin and process of the tropical timber and facilitates market links with local processors.

Final consumer

Not only in Europe consumers are changing their behavior and looking for more sustainability in their consumption, also in Brazil and other local markets we can observe this trend. The final consumer is the end market of the chain.

TAA together with its partners tries to influence the critical mass to make FSC tropical timber their standard.

Project Developers

Project developers are working closely with local, provincial and federal governments as well as housing corporations. They design and define the use of tropical hardwood in building projects, parks and road / waterworks.

TAA together with its partners tries to influence these companies to adopt FSC tropical timber as their standard and to choose for a bigger variety of tropical timber species.

Contractors

Many contractors use tropical timber for long term durable constructions, as well as ground, water and road work. TAA together with its partners tries to influence these companies to adopt FSC tropical timber as their standard.

TAA congratulates those companies that choose to use FSC even when this is not “required” by the client.

Government

Housing corporations, municipalities, regional and other government bodies (like water authorities) are important end clients of tropical wood. In the Netherlands most of them are committed to promote sustainability and require the use of FSC certified timber in public construction works.

TAA supports governments in the implementation of their commitments towards sustainability.