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.