By Mathew Carr

Nov. 20, 2024 — Baku, Azerbaijan — Forest nations may take a lead from President elect Donald Trump’s apparent anti-climate stance and adopt policies that only focus on profit and money, rather than sustainability.

Vast hectares of forests around the world are at risk as demand surges for land for food, the clean economy and rising populations. Many of these countries receive nothing or very little for keeping their forests intact and for “processing” billions of tons of CO2 out of the atmosphere every year …tons put there mainly by reach people and wealthy nations.

One man with an interesting perspective is the Republic of Congo’s Joseph Moumbouilou, Directeur Général de l’Economie Forestière. (Not to be confused with neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo — DRC.)

Moumbouilou told me in an interview at the Baku talks that countries need to have a reward for protecting forests, otherwise they will need to change tact and focus on exploiting nature if that’s they only chance of development. (He didn’t quite say it this bluntly.)

He declined to criticise Mr Trump’s stance, but said this:

“Our Congo Basin countries must combine conservation and development of our economies. We cannot only do conservation without developing our economies. Our biodiversity must serve our populations. We must count all our biodiversity, evaluate it and take it into account in the formation of gross domestic product. We want polluting countries to take responsibility for mitigating the effects of climate change.

In other words, the county will change its position re conservation and focus more on economic activity too.

I asked did that mean a portion of the forest gets chopped down, sold and exported? He didn’t clearly answer…but his other words are clear enough.

And just so you know …he never said “It’s time to Make Congo Great Again” …but his words are heading in that direction, which is why I’m asking the question in the headline, above.

The Republic of Congo is seeking payments for performance re conservation and payments via Article 6 of the Paris climate deal, he said.

Conclusions from the slides (translated – beware)

These few key initiatives and strategies put in place by the Republic of Congo show the importance of sustainable forest management to mitigate the impacts of climate change while preserving forest ecosystems for future generations.

The climate advocacy and ecological initiative of Denis SASSOU-N’GUESSO, President of the Republic of Congo for a green economy, through the African and Global Decade of Afforestation and Reforestation (DAMAR) initiative, launched at COP27, in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, on November 07, 2022, should receive the support of the international community, for a safer world.

The time has come for the effective implementation of Article 6 of the PARIS AGREEMENT on climate change and Goal 17 of the GLOBAL AGENDA by 2030.

It is no longer time for speeches, but for concrete actions.

For the industrialized countries, the sources, to reduce pollution, and at the same time donor countries, to apply the principle of “POLLUTER-PAYS”, to conclude responsible partnerships with developing countries (win-win), which are in favor of all humanity, and which propose solutions that are better for the planet.

You Tube in French: https://www.youtube.com/live/-UboAuvyBMk

Latest (Nov. 20) version of presentation in French:

---

Earlier Grok AI translation to English from French — beware of mistakes and repetitions …and favor the French PDF, above.

SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF FOREST ECOSYSTEMS AND MITIGATION OF CLIMATE CHANGE EFFECTS IN THE REPUBLIC OF CONGO

Outline of the Presentation

Introduction

Policies and Legal Frameworks
Strengthening Local Capacities
Sustainable Forest Management
Forest Harvesting
Effects of Climate Change
Measures Related to Mitigating Climate Change Effects
Carbon Sequestration
Conclusion

SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF FOREST ECOSYSTEMS AND MITIGATION OF CLIMATE CHANGE EFFECTS IN THE REPUBLIC OF CONGO

Introduction

The Republic of Congo is located in Central Africa, on the equator, between latitudes 4°19 North and 5°03 South, and longitudes 12°01 East and 17°50 West. Its area is 342,000 km².

The Congolese forest domain covers 23,517,000 hectares, representing 69% of the national territory and 1/10 of Central Africa’s dense forests.

Sustainable management of forest ecosystems is essential for mitigating climate change effects in the Republic of Congo. Here are some key initiatives and strategies implemented:

1. Policy and Legislative Framework

The Congolese government, in collaboration with international organizations, has established policies and legal frameworks to support sustainable forest management and combat climate change effects.

The Republic of Congo implements its Forestry Policy (2014 – 2025) and National Development Plan (2022 – 2026), supported by laws like Law No. 33-2020 of July 8, 2020, on the Forestry Code, Law No. 33-2023 of November 17, 2023, on sustainable environmental management in the Republic of Congo, and other sectoral laws (Land Use, Agriculture, Justice, Land, etc.).

1. Policy and Legislative Framework (Continued)

Law No. 33-2020 of July 8, 2020, considers innovations in the Republic of Congo, including Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC); the Legality Verification System (LVS); forest plantations; local content; REDD+ Mechanism; Payment for Environmental Services (PES); and more advanced wood processing.

FLEGT Action Plan: Aiming for more responsible management of its forest heritage, the Republic of Congo signed on May 17, 2010, with the European Union, the FLEGT Action Plan through the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA). This agreement, effective since 2013, aims to combat illegal forest exploitation and associated trade.

2. Strengthening Local Capacities

Training and workshops are organized for local communities to raise awareness about sustainable management practices and the importance of forest conservation.

3. Sustainable Forest Management

Sustainable forest management involves practices that maintain and enhance the economic, social, and ecological values of forests for present and future generations. This includes biodiversity preservation, forest health, and their productive and protective functions.

3. Sustainable Forest Management (Continued 1)

The forests of the Republic of Congo have a high density of tree species per hectare (over 100 trees per hectare of all species combined).

The potential for timber exploitation is estimated at 980 million cubic meters (IFN, 2015).

Since 2000, the Republic of Congo has committed to the process of arranging all its forest concessions for sustainable management.

3. Sustainable Forest Management (Continued 2)

Additionally, to combat climate change, the Republic has been engaged since 2018 in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, including through forest management, biodiversity conservation, and carbon stock enhancement via forest plantations.

3. Sustainable Forest Management (Continued 3)

The total area of managed forests stands at 8,565,850 hectares, covering 22 concessions, which is about 58% of the total production forest area. In these forests, Reduced Impact Logging (RIL) is systematically applied, with the goal that by 2025, all assigned forest concessions will be managed.

The deforestation rate is 0.06%, resulting in approximately 17,000 hectares of forest loss per year, one of the lowest rates in Central Africa.

3. Sustainable Forest Management (Continued 4)

The total area of FSC-certified forest concessions is 3,148,531 hectares, covering 5 concessions.

The total area of OLB-certified forest concessions is 783,136 hectares, covering 2 concessions.

Local and indigenous communities play a crucial role in sustainable forest management. Their active participation and traditional knowledge can contribute to more effective and sustainable management practices.

4. Forest Harvesting

The annual allowable cut is estimated at 8,700,000 cubic meters. However, an average of 1,700,000 cubic meters is harvested annually, with two species, sapelli in the north and okoumé in the south, making up 60% of this annual production.

5. Effects of Climate Change

The effects of climate change are numerous and varied. Here are some main impacts:

Temperature Rise: Hot days and heatwaves become more frequent, potentially increasing heat-related illnesses and making work and travel more challenging.
Increased Storm Severity: Temperature changes lead to more violent and frequent storms, causing floods and landslides.
Increased Droughts: More regions face water shortages, leading to destructive sand and dust storms.
Sea-Level Rise: Melting glaciers and ice caps contribute to rising sea levels, threatening coastal areas and islands.
Impact on Biodiversity: Climate change disrupts natural habitats, endangering many animal and plant species.

6. Measures Related to Mitigating Climate Change Effects

Reforestation and forest restoration programs are underway to increase forest cover and improve carbon sequestration.

6. Measures Related to Mitigating Climate Change Effects (Continued 1)

The area of forest plantations totals 70,000 hectares, including 60,000 hectares of eucalyptus and pine, and 10,000 hectares of dense forest species.

The total area of protected areas is 4,581,115 hectares, representing 13.39% of the national territory, with 19 protected areas.

Initiatives like the creation of the Local Development Fund (LDF) in managed forest concessions, funded by a fee per cubic meter of timber harvested annually by forestry companies, have been taken to finance community interest micro-projects.

6. Measures Related to Mitigating Climate Change Effects (Continued 2)

The Ministry of Forestry Economy, with UNDP support, has published a toolkit enabling Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples (LCIP) to develop income-generating activities to alleviate poverty and improve living conditions.

The National Afforestation and Reforestation Program (PRONAR) was launched in 2011 by His Excellency Denis SASSOU-N’GUESSO, President of the Republic of Congo, aiming to establish 1 million hectares of new forest plantations over ten years.

6. Measures Related to Mitigating Climate Change Effects (Continued 3)

Recent initiatives include:

The JACA-Mbé project for carbon sink creation for carbon credit sales, implemented by RENCO GREEN SARLU, covering 40,000 hectares with 1,500 hectares of agroforestry.
The BaCasi project for carbon sink creation for emissions offsetting, implemented by TotalEnergie, covering 40,000 hectares with 2,000 hectares of agroforestry.

6. Measures Related to Mitigating Climate Change Effects (Continued 4)

The ECO NZAMBA project for carbon sink creation for carbon credit sales, implemented by the National Oil Company of Congo (SNPC), covering 50,000 hectares with 5,000 hectares of agroforestry.
The AFOREST project for supplying a pulp mill, implemented by AFOREST, covering 200,000 hectares with 10,000 hectares of agroforestry.
The climate advocacy and ecological initiative of His Excellency Denis SASSOU-N’GUESSO, President of the Republic of Congo, for a green economy, through the African and Global Decade of Afforestation and Reforestation (DAMAR), launched at COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, on November 7, 2022.

6. Measures Related to Mitigating Climate Change Effects (Continued 5)

The Republic of Congo implements two major projects integrating the National Afforestation and Reforestation Program (PRONAR) to mitigate human pressure on natural forests and develop climate-smart agriculture:

(i) The Forest Emissions Reduction Project (PREFOREST), supported by the Green Climate Fund; and

(ii) The Sustainable Wood Energy Potential Enhancement Project in the Republic of Congo (PROREP Bois-Energie), supported by the Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI).

7. Carbon Sequestration

The Republic of Congo joined the REDD+ mechanism in 2008 to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, including sustainable management, biodiversity conservation, and carbon stock enhancement.

There exists a national REDD+ strategy with an investment plan funded by the Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI) (Letter of Intent signed in September 2019 between His Excellencies Denis SASSOU-N’GUESSO and Emmanuel MACRON) and the Green Climate Fund.

7. Carbon Sequestration (Continued 1)

The forests of the Republic of Congo within the Congo Basin play a critical role in carbon sequestration, absorbing about 1.1 gigatons of carbon per year while emitting only 530 megatons, making them one of the world’s most significant carbon sinks, surpassing even the Amazon and Southeast Asian forests.

Conclusion

These key initiatives and strategies highlight the importance of sustainable forest management for mitigating climate change impacts while preserving forest ecosystems for future generations.

The climate advocacy and ecological initiative of His Excellency Denis SASSOU-N’GUESSO for a green economy, through DAMAR, launched at COP27, should gain international support for a better world.

The time has come for concrete action rather than just speeches.

---