A Conversation with Alex Gama of The Borneo Initiative
IWPA remains committed to building demand in North America for responsibly sourced wood products from around the world. This mission helps to maintain the health of global forests by sending clear market signals about their worth as forests and helping to prevent clearing for conversion to agriculture or other uses.
IWPA Associate Member The Borneo Initiative (TBI) shares this dedication to responsible sourcing, and works to promote the use of sustainable wood products from Indonesian producers and assists producers as they work towards Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification. In March 2014, Alex Gama joined TBI as their Market Links Coordinator for North America. Gama is responsible for linking Indonesian concessions/industries to U.S. importers by promoting Indonesian timber products such as plywood, veneers, decking, TG4 flooring and truck flooring. Gama has spent nearly three decades in the wood products industry, starting with sourcing, grading and supply management in his native Brazil and continuing throughout South America, Europe and Asia.
Q: Please describe how and why The Borneo Initiative was created.
A: In 2005 the Building and Borneo Campaign was implemented by the World Wildlife Fund, FSC Netherlands, Dutch housing associations and local authorities. The goal was to introduce a new chain-oriented approach to protect forests on the island of Borneo. The Building and Borneo Campaign was a major success: 46 Dutch housing corporations signed partnership agreements stating their commitment to use FSC timber in their new building and renovation activities in the coming five years. Together they planned to build 120,000 new homes with FSC timber. In 2007 and 2008 the allied groups continued and intensified the campaign to use FSC timber from Borneo in the Dutch housing sector by talking to the next partner in the chain: project developers. These stakeholders showed serious interest in developing and investing in a fund for the certification of concessions in Borneo. The housing corporations and housing project developers wanted to be assured of a sufficient supply of sustainably produced tropical timber into the future. The Borneo Initiative was established in 2008 to facilitate this process of certification of sustainable forest management and increase the supply of FSC timber.
Frequently asked questions
What is The Borneo Initiative and what does it do?+
The Borneo Initiative (TBI) is an organization dedicated to promoting the use of sustainable wood products from Indonesian producers and assisting those producers as they work toward Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification. It was established in 2008 to facilitate certification of sustainable forest management and increase the supply of FSC timber.
Why was The Borneo Initiative created?+
TBI was established in 2008 after Dutch housing corporations and project developers sought to be assured of a sufficient future supply of sustainably produced tropical timber. It was created to facilitate the certification of concessions in Borneo and increase the supply of FSC-certified timber.
What was the Building and Borneo Campaign?+
Launched in 2005 by the World Wildlife Fund, FSC Netherlands, Dutch housing associations and local authorities, the Building and Borneo Campaign introduced a chain-oriented approach to protect forests on Borneo. It resulted in 46 Dutch housing corporations signing partnership agreements to use FSC timber, with plans to build 120,000 new homes with FSC timber over five years.
What Indonesian timber products does The Borneo Initiative promote in North America?+
TBI promotes Indonesian timber products including plywood, veneers, decking, TG4 flooring and truck flooring to U.S. importers.
Who is Alex Gama at The Borneo Initiative?+
Alex Gama joined TBI in March 2014 as Market Links Coordinator for North America, responsible for linking Indonesian concessions and industries to U.S. importers. He has nearly three decades of experience in the wood products industry across Brazil, South America, Europe and Asia.
How does IWPA support responsibly sourced wood products?+
IWPA works to build demand in North America for responsibly sourced wood products from around the world. This mission helps maintain the health of global forests by signaling their value and preventing clearing for conversion to agriculture or other uses.