The ongoing bush encroachment in Namibia has already reached more than 30% of its land area, thus threatening the original biodiversity of wild animals and plants and displacing the natural savannah ecosystem. A selective logging of these bushes helps to counteract this threat. The processing of the harvested bushes into charcoal creates an economic benefit for the local communities.
Consequently, wild animals regain their natural habitat and the valuable water supply in the dry savannah soil is protected. Many farms in Namibia have obtained FSC-certification for their charcoal production as a result of this project, meaning that binding social and environmental standards apply. Among other benefits, the FSC-certification ensures a regular and fair income, protective gear, access to clean drinking water and fixed accommodation for workers who harvest the bushes. The FSC-certified charcoal obtained from the project was offered as a promotional article by ALDI Nord and ALDI SÜD for the first time this year.
FSC-certification ensures a production based on binding, ambitious social and environmental standards. “FSC is a recognized standard with which we ensure and promote a responsible production that also saves resources.”, says Sarah Groß, Specialist CRQA International at ALDI Nord. The project is making an important contribution to tackling the country's ecological problems as well as offering the local community good working conditions.
"Since all work stages are carried out exclusively in Namibia, the project creates jobs in rural areas. We offer people new perspectives through jobs, a secure income and adequate occupational safety for their hard work logging bushes.”, says Nadja Thorman, Manager Corporate Responsibility for Packaging & Environment at ALDI SÜD.
This outstanding commitment to sustainability was also honored by the Sustainability Conference of the German Society for Sustainability and the German Society for Quality, who awarded the corporate groups ALDI Nord and ALDI SÜD the Sustainability Heroes Award 2020 in the category “Social Commitment”. The award honors measures and true pioneers who set an example for sustainable action. This year, the award ceremony took place virtually.
FSC Africa congratulates the project partners at ALDI Nord and ALDI SÜD on the award and looks forward to continuing the joint efforts for a positive development in Namibia and charcoal made from socially beneficial and ecologically sustainable wood from bushes, which is free from deforestation.