From paper to pencils, floorboards to furniture, the way Haringey Borough Council buys timber helps protect the world’s forests, according to leading charity.

The World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) has handed the council a Gold Pledge Award in recognition of its work to ensure all timber procurement is from sustainable sources.

Haringey is the first London council to achieve the standard and only the third local authority in the country.

The WWF’s pledge scheme encourages local authorities to buy responsibly to stop illegal deforestation and harm to communities that depend on forests across the globe.

Haringey Council was one of the first authorities to sign up to the scheme and achieved 'silver' status in August 2012.

Since then, the council’s procurement team has ensured all contracts and suppliers – whether for stationery, furniture, repairs or construction – get their timber from sustainable sources.

Councillor Joe Goldberg, cabinet member for finance and carbon reduction, received the award from the WWF’s global forest and trade network manager Julia Young at a ceremony in Coldfall Woods, Highgate.

He said: “I’m really pleased that once again Haringey is leading the way in building a sustainable future and that our work has been recognised by the WWF.

“Whether it is our groundbreaking work to cut carbon emissions, our sustainable and responsible procurement, or our pioneering energy research partnership with Durham University, we’re committed to making Haringey a greener borough.”