The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has taken a decisive stride towards sustainable forest management with the official adoption of its new national Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) standard.
This updated standard aims to bolster the conservation of Congolese forests, promote responsible resource utilization, and further open the country to international markets for certified forest products.
Developed through a comprehensive multi-stakeholder process initiated in 2015, this FSC standard was crafted by a diverse group of representatives from the private sector, civil society organizations, local communities, and indigenous peoples. Following rigorous field testing, the standard now integrates environmental, economic, and social dimensions, ensuring its relevance and applicability across the nation.
With over 155 million hectares of forest, accounting for 60 percent of the Congo Basin’s forest area and approximately 18 percent of the world’s tropical forests, the DRC possesses Africa’s largest tropical forest resource. These vital ecosystems support more than 40 million Congolese citizens and harbor exceptional biodiversity, particularly within its 23 million hectares of protected areas.
The implementation of this new standard is expected to significantly boost FSC certification within the country, fortify efforts against illegal logging, and support the DRC’s climate commitment to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 21 percent by 2030. Furthermore, it provides a crucial mechanism for compliance with the European Union Deforestation-Free Products Regulation (EUDR), thereby facilitating access for Congolese forest products to sustainable international markets.
To date, over six million hectares in the Congo Basin have achieved FSC certification, contributing to the protection of iconic species like gorillas and elephants. The adoption of this standard opens new avenues for valuing ecosystem services—including carbon sequestration, water regulation, biodiversity preservation, and cultural heritage—while simultaneously ensuring respect for the rights of local and indigenous communities.
With this new tool, the DRC, alongside its development partners and forestry stakeholders, now possesses a clear framework to promote the sustainable, inclusive, and economically viable management of its immense forest capital.
TE/Sf/fss/abj/APA