Approved by the FSC General Assembly in 2022, Motion 23 mandates the use of landscape-level approaches to strengthen the protection of Intact Forest Landscapes (IFLs). To facilitate this, FSC has developed a procedure and guideline that will enable Standard Development Groups (SDGs) to integrate IFL landscape considerations into their standards.
This pilot project will test these new tools in a specific landscape in northern Congo, which includes FSC-certified and non-certified forests, protected areas and other land use systems. By adopting a landscape-level approach, the project aims to promote more effective IFL management and conservation.
This initiative is particularly significant for the Congo Basin, where a substantial portion of IFLs overlaps with FSC-certified forests. By working at a landscape scale, FSC can help ensure the long-term sustainability of these valuable ecosystems.
The pilot project will involve multiple stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, relevant experts, Indigenous Peoples and local communities. The findings from this pilot will inform the revision of the FSC Forest Stewardship Standard and contribute to the development of more effective IFL management strategies.
National Dialogue on the Protection of Intact Forest Landscapes (IFLs) in the Northern Congo Landscape
Under the project pilot testing for the implementation of Motion 23 on the Forest Stewardship Standard in the Republic of Congo, FSC Congo Basin is organizing a national dialogue on the protection of Intact Forest Landscapes (IFLs) in Northern Congo at the Mikhaël Hotel in Brazzaville from January 14 to 16, 2025.
This event, which will bring together international experts and local stakeholders, aims to:
- Brief participants on FSC forest certification and the issues and challenges of protecting IFLs
- Gather participants’ views and opinions on the best way to protect IFLs in the northern Congo forest landscape
- Build consensus among participants on the best approaches to protect IFLs at the landscape level.