Current state and prospects of certification of Chernihiv region forest resources

The article examines the importance of the forestry complex for maintaining the natural balance and conservation of biodiversity from an ecological point of view, and compliance with international standards and access to international markets from an economic point of view. The areas covered with forest vegetation, as well as the forest cover of the territories of European countries and Ukraine were analyzed. The deviation of the actual average forest cover of the territory from the optimal one in Ukraine (by 4.1%) was revealed. Zonal indicators of Ukraine’s forest cover were considered, and the territories of the country with insufficient afforestation were identified. The importance of forest certification for ensuring economically and ecologically balanced forest management was considered. The positive dynamics according to the area of the certified forests, growth rates of the area, growth rates of the number of forestry certificates, and supply chain certificates among Ukrainian producers was analytically confirmed. Forestry activity in Chernihiv region in 2015–2020 was analyzed according to the area of certified forests, types of forest vegetation, and afforestation areas. The current FSC certified state-owned enterprises of Chernihiv region are also identified: Novhorod-Siversky Forestry, Nizhyn Forestry, Kholmy Forestry and certified products (roundwood logs), wood chips, sawdust, fuel wood, beams, planks, and finished dimensional lumber) and promising areas of certification (twigs, plank flooring, wood wool, pallets, etc.) were identified. The long-term benefit of FSC certification for domestic forests has been proved. It was determined and reasoned that forest certification is a tool to increase the competitiveness of domestic forests and integration into foreign markets.