The country's Minister of Forest Economy, Rosalie Matondo and WCS officials launched this initiative which aims to address the significant financing gap for the conservation of tropical forests, especially those still untouched by degradation.
'This project marks a significant step towards innovative financial mechanisms that allow our country to capitalize on our conservation efforts,' said Matondo during the launch in Brazzaville.
Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park, covering over 0.4 million hectares, has absorbed over 11 million tons of CO2 over the past decade, showcasing the immense climate contribution of these forests.
WCS, the visionary behind HIFOR, developed the initiative to create a sustainable financial model for conserving tropical forests that offer vital climate, biodiversity, and socio-economic benefits.
Each HIFOR unit represents one hectare of well-preserved forest, allowing investors to support the protection of these critical ecosystems while creating a long-term stream of funding.
The HIFOR initiative was endorsed on August 28 by the Republic of Congo's Forest Carbon Task Force, led by Prime Minister Anatole Collinet Makosso. The task force recognized the importance of the high-integrity forests, which remove an estimated 1.8 billion tons of CO2 annually. Without these forests, global temperatures could already be 0.5°C higher.
Despite their importance, the world's high-integrity forests are in decline, with 12% lost between 2000 and 2020. These forests are increasingly vulnerable to fragmentation and degradation, a reality that underscores the urgency of new conservation efforts.
Richard Malonga, WCS Congo Country Director, emphasized the importance of protecting these forests: 'With threats to high integrity forests constantly evolving and increasing, our efforts must be relentless. Congo is fortunate to have many of these forests, and we are proud to partner with the government to pilot this innovative mechanism for their long-term protection.'
Unlike traditional forest financing tools, HIFOR focuses on preserving ecological integrity rather than compensating for deforestation emissions. HIFOR units are non-compensatory, tradable assets that provide a way for governments and communities to protect their forests while developing low-carbon, sustainable economies.
WCS plans to pilot HIFOR in collaboration with local governments and communities to ensure transparency and long-term success. 'Early HIFOR projects will be individually audited to maintain quality and transparency,' noted Malonga.
For over 30 years, WCS has been a crucial partner in the conservation of global wildlife and ecosystems, contributing to the management of national parks and the protection of biodiversity on the planet.
As the world grapples with climate change and biodiversity loss, initiatives like HIFOR offer a beacon of hope, providing both ecological and financial solutions to safeguard the planet's most vital ecosystems.
Sam K Nkurunziza
