CONSERVATION: Congo Launches Africa’s First High Integrity Forest Investment Initiative to Protect Vital Tropical Forests

By PATRICK JARAMOGI

Brazzaville, Congo —  [SHIFTMEDIA] On August 30, Congo’s Minister of Forest Economy and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) launched Africa’s inaugural High Integrity Forest Investment Initiative (HIFOR) at Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park. This groundbreaking project marks the first attempt in Africa to use market-based finance to conserve high ecological integrity forests, which are crucial for climate stability, biodiversity, and local economies.

 

The HIFOR Initiative, developed by WCS, addresses a critical gap in the market for financing the preservation of tropical forests that remain largely undisturbed by human activity. These forests are vital for their climate, biodiversity, and socio-economic benefits, yet they face growing threats from fragmentation and degradation.

HIFOR aims to fund the conservation of these pristine forests through the sale of HIFOR units. Each unit represents one hectare of well-preserved high integrity tropical forest within a larger landscape. The proceeds from these sales are intended to support the ongoing protection of these areas, benefiting both local communities and global environmental health.

Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park, a Key Biodiversity Area recognized for its ecological significance, is the site of this pioneering pilot project. The park spans over 400,000 hectares and has sequestered an estimated 11 million tons of CO2 in the past decade. The project’s launch was endorsed on August 28 by the Republic of Congo’s Forest Carbon Task Force during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Anatole Collinet Makosso.

High integrity tropical forests play a crucial role in mitigating climate change by removing approximately 1.8 billion tons of CO2 annually. Their preservation is essential, as without these forests, global temperatures would have risen at least 0.5°C higher than current levels. However, between 2000 and 2020, major blocks of such forests declined by 12%, increasing their vulnerability.

 

The HIFOR Initiative aims to address this issue by creating tradeable units based on scientific assessments of ecosystem services, providing a continuous stream of finance for conservation efforts. This approach supports governments and Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IP&LCs) in safeguarding their forests while fostering sustainable, low-carbon rural economies.

Forestry Minister Rosalie Matondo highlighted the significance of the HIFOR project, stating, “The project we are launching today marks a very important step in the development of innovative financial mechanisms enabling our country to maximize its efforts in forest conservation and ecosystem protection.”

Unlike traditional carbon credit systems that offset emissions, HIFOR units are non-compensatory and cannot be used for offsetting purposes. Instead, they contribute to climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation through various frameworks. This distinction ensures that HIFOR complements, rather than competes with, existing financing mechanisms.

Richard Malonga, WCS Congo Country Director, emphasized the importance of this initiative: “With threats to high integrity forests constantly evolving, our efforts to protect them must be relentless. The Congo is fortunate to have many of these forests, and we are excited to partner with the government to pilot this innovative mechanism.”

WCS plans to pilot the HIFOR Initiative in collaboration with governments and local communities to demonstrate its viability. Initial projects will be audited according to the publicly available HIFOR methodology, with the aim of scaling the initiative’s impact globally.

WCS, with over 30 years of conservation experience in the Republic of Congo, has been instrumental in the creation and management of several national parks. Its global program, operating in more than 50 countries, combines the efforts of its zoos and aquarium with extensive field conservation work.

About Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)

WCS combines the power of its zoos and an aquarium in New York City and a Global Conservation Program in more than 50 countries to achieve its mission to save wildlife and wild places. WCS runs the world’s largest conservation field program, protecting more than 50 percent of Earth’s known biodiversity; in partnership with governments, Indigenous People, Local Communities, and the private sector. It’s four zoos and aquarium (the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, and the New York Aquarium ) welcome more than 3.5 million visitors each year, inspiring generations to care for nature. Visit: newsroom.wcs.org. Follow: @WCSNewsroom. For more information: +1 (347) 840-1242. Listen to the WCS Wild Audio podcast HERE.