Healthy forests and resilient communities in the Congo
ENABLING LOCAL AND INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES IN THE Congo Basin to take over forest management has the potential to restore natural forests, conserve biodiversity, combat illegal logging, address climate change and secure sustainable livelihoods. By managing forests sustainably and inclusively, community forestry can help curb deforestation and reduce associated greenhouse gas emissions, as well as supporting sustainable resource management and development.
Through scoping studies, policy dialogues, awareness raising through films and practical guides, regional learning and pilot field projects, Fern, CED, CIEDD and OCDH have gained
more in-depth understanding of viable and sustainable options for community forest management which empower communities directly
Fern, CED, CIEDD and OCDH have contributed to the Brazzaville roadmap, a regional policy document for implementing participatory forestry in the Congo Basin. We have also engaged in policy discussions at regional and local levels including putting community forestry on the agenda of The Congo Basin Forest Partnership, a regional initiative supporting the implementation of REDD+ strategies in the Congo Basin.
Through community forest management, local communities in the Republic of Congo, Cameroon and CAR will protect land from plantations for palm oil, rubber and cocoa, and mining. These activities are already damaging forests in the Congo Basin, and are driven by demand largely from the EU and China. By getting decision-makers to listen to the need for community forest management from both a climate and social perspective, we can reduce the amount of land taken up by these extractive industries, and in the process reduce emissions associated with global production chains
