HIFOR

Conservationists in the Republic of Congo ???? are trying another approach to secure funding to maintain the country’s carbon-dense, wildlife-rich forests, reports Rosie Pioth G née MM. Congo’s government is working with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) to develop a plan to protect “high-integrity forests” by treating them as an asset class. Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park, which in June became the first park in the world to be recognized for its ecological integrity under the Key Biodiversity Areas Standard, is the centerpiece of the initiative. The High-Integrity Forest (HIFOR) initiative aims to bridge the funding gap for forest conservation by offering HIFOR units for sale. These units represent one hectare of pristine tropical forest that has been actively conserved for decades. In contrast to carbon credits, which offset emissions, HIFOR units allow buyers to claim their contributions to conservation, biodiversity, and local socio-economic benefits without using them to balance out carbon footprints elsewhere. The project is anchored in three pillars: biodiversity conservation, sustainable forest management, and community participation. By avoiding the carbon offset model, the initiative emphasizes long-term conservation. Buyers receive independently audited certificates that document the area conserved and its ecological significance. Revenue is distributed among the national government, park management, and local communities, ensuring that the benefits are shared by those on the ground. Nouabalé-Ndoki, home to some of the most diverse and intact tropical forests in Central Africa, faces challenges from illegal activities such as hunting and logging, and the surrounding areas are increasingly threatened by deforestation. WCS, which manages the park and developed the HIFOR mechanism, is optimistic that this initiative will bolster protection efforts, says Daniel Zarin. The program integrates cutting-edge technologies, such as drone surveillance and artificial intelligence, to monitor wildlife and detect illegal activities. At its core, the HIFOR initiative strives to balance ecological preservation with economic benefits. By providing new revenue streams to local communities, the project aims to reduce their reliance on the park’s natural resources. If successful, Nouabalé-Ndoki could serve as a model for other high-integrity forests, potentially reshaping how forest conservation is financed in countries with high forest cover and low deforestation rates, say supporters. ?? Congo looks to monetize its high-integrity forests https://lnkd.in/g6k2zGfP Photo credits: 1) Forest elephant Nouabale Ndoki National Park Congo. CREDIT Kyle De Nobrega/WCS 2) Western lowland gorilla in Nouabale-Ndoki. CREDIT Scott Ramsay/WCS 3) Chimp in Nouabalé-Ndoki. CREDIT Emma Stokes/WCS. 4) Nouabale-Ndoki. CREDIT Scott Ramsay/WCS

Thrilled to present IFC Biodiversity Finance Metrics for Impact Reporting -- IFC - International Finance Corporation's newest contribution to advancing the growth of #biodiveristy and #naturefiancne market. Developed in collaboration BNP Paribas, Finance for Biodiversity, Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking, Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) and Wildlife Conservation Society, it responds to the growing demand from investors for a comprehensive guidance on impact reporting for biodiversity and nature finance activities to boost transparency and credibility in the market. Tremendous thanks and congratulations to the IFC core team Helena Dill, Beatrice Phillips, Francisco Avenda?o, Veronica Nyhan Jones, Jamie Fergusson, Lori Anna Conzo and professionals from across the collaborating organizations Andres Cal Araguas, Michael J. Bellantoni, Agnes Gourc, Camille Maclet, Nicolas Rydarowicz, Julia Samson, Sabina Veksler, Myriam Zapata from BNPP, Natacha Boric and Julen González Redín from Finance for Biodiversity Foundation, Gratien Davasse from Natixis CIB, Laura Clavey, Fiona P., Blanche de Biolley, Thomas H., Alan Marini from TNFD, Ray Victurine and Ben Hoyer from WCS. A supplemental resource to the IFC's market-shaping Biodiversity Finance Reference Guide, the document provides specific metrics for each of the eligible investment activities and project components listed in the IFC Biodiversity Finance Reference Guide. These metrics can be applied to individual projects for use of proceeds instruments or be aggregated across a portfolio of investments. Through these suggested metrics, investors can address the reporting challenges the private sector faces when attribution is challenging, such as when operating within a watershed shared by many stakeholders, or when certain ecosystem improvements could take decades to observe. https://lnkd.in/gxBR5_aN (landing page) https://lnkd.in/eV8jz5ev (direct link to the document) #COP16 #biodiversity #biodiveristyfinance #naturebasedsolutions #nature #naturefinance #climatefinance

Forest, timber, business, biodiversity. At the ATIBT annual meeting we reflected on the recent #EUDR postponment. We discussed CITES, Second generation management plans, biodiversity and carbon credits, and the positions of official and private stakeholders within and outside the EU. My take-aways: We checked who was surprised and who wansn't. Ten % of the participants expected the delay. Among the 90% that said they were surprised some did not want to send the wrong message, others were genuinely surprised. The European Commission had been late in providing guidance. However the platforms were ready and operational. The process of declaration is simple if tedious and time consuming. The concept of #DueDiligence invites operators to take responsibility on how to demonstrate they do noy contribute to environmental degradation. The pushback against the regulation - both from outside and inside of the #EU likely came from the agricultural sector, as the timber had had 10 years to rehearse with the #EUTR (Timber Trade Regulation). Companies and Certifyng bodies regret the decision as they were ready. The additional time can be put to good use to clarify obligations, test procedures and ensure smooth implementation. However, some are already saying "oh well, let's talk again next year...". This is why delaying the #EUDR sends the wrong signal. The panel members were unanimous: #DoNotWait. We were reminded timber is the third illegal commodity, after guns and drugs. The sobering figure of 150 billions USD / year was advanced. This is a crucial reason why tropical timber is rejected by the general public in Europe. The aim of the regulation - slowing and reversing the trend of deforestation and degradation is not disputed. However there are doubts on whether the regulation will achieve its intended impact. Unless the #USA and #China adopt similar regulations, many people question the impact of the regulation but also its philosophy. This is the old "mind your boundaries" argument that is oppposed to any attempt at a global governance. The notion of partnership is central for the success of the regulation and not many people know how to build these in a context of generalized competition. We have proof now that large mammals (>10kg) are driven out from concessions without Forest Stewardship Council certification. In the words of Joeri Zwerts choosing between certified or not certified tropical timber is choosing between forests with elephants or forests with rats. Sophie DIROU from Wildlife Conservation Society presented #HIFOR a new financial instrument to promote the conservation of forests of high integrity - something sorely missing. The unit of measure is #clever - hectares per 10 years - introducing the time horizon that is lacking for example in the #IntactForestLandscapes discussion. If you attended, what do you remember? ATIBT | Forest Stewardship Council | PEFC International | TEREA - Terre Environnement Aménagement