The awareness campaign

Solène Le Doze joined the CPET team in January 2009, as the awareness coordinator for the UK Government’s sustainable timber procurement policy. She is also seconded to the Defra timber procurement team for 3 days per week.

Solène has a broad background in natural resources management, environmental economics and international cooperation. Before joining CPET, she worked in the UK and gained experience in the fields of market development and behaviour change.

Raising awareness will encourage endorsement and better harmonisation of the public timber procurement policy. The main focus for this campaign is Central Government Departments, Executive Agencies and Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs), for which the policy is mandatory. Local Authorities (see other article in this newsletter) and other bodies receiving public funding will also be encouraged to develop sustainable procurement policies. Forming a united public sector front, rather than having an array of different policies, would send a clear and consistent message to suppliers and the market. It would also make compliance easier, by having only one set of requirements for suppliers. Members of the private sector who specify, supply and buy timber products on behalf of public buyers will also be targeted.

Solène will build on CPET’s available tools and contacts to deliver the campaigns goal and will engage more proactively and systematically with all of them. Participation at key events/shows and meetings is identified as a priority to get the message across. Your support in identifying key contacts/events would be very much appreciated. If you would like to request a short awareness session (15 to 60 minutes) for your organisation or participation at an event to get basic information on the UK Government’s timber procurement policy and how it is implemented, please contact her on solene@proforest.net.