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Archive des Actualités des Partenaires

April 2022

27 Apr

Conflict in Ukraine and sanctions against Russia: the consequences on the timber market – ATIBT

As relayed by Le Commerce du Bois, the European Union has decided on new sanctions against Russia. Although these measures do not impact the tropical timber trade for the moment, it is likely that the situation will have repercussions on the tropical sector in the weeks and months to come. On April 8, the Council of the EU adopted a fifth set of sanctions against Russia due to Russia's continuing war against Ukraine.

26 Apr

Review of the points of debate and reflection on the draft European regulation on imported deforestation – ATIBT

The ATIBT continues to be involved in the European negotiations on this regulation, particularly on those elements that appear to be of concern, while reiterating its overall support for the Commission's proposal and its objectives.

26 Apr

The certified forestry sector and imported deforestation – ATIBT

The certification commission of the ATIBT co-publishes with Emmanuel Groutel (Wale) a manifesto recalling the opportunity that the draft regulation of the European Union represents to prove the involvement of the actors of this sector by their commitment in sustainable forest management certification.

26 Apr

Continuing training for sustainable forest management in the framework of the RIFFEAC/ITTO LSSC project – ATIBT

The LSSC project carried out by RIFFEAC from 2020 to 2022 ended in March 2022 with the dissemination of the unique continuous training module on "legal and sustainable supply chains" in the 5 countries of the Congo Basin targeted by this project: Cameroon, Gabon, Central African Republic, DRC, and Republic of Congo.

26 Apr

The world’s forest ecosystems are in crisis - CIFOR

CIFOR-ICRAF scientists will join the global forestry community at the World Forestry Congress to discuss the state and future of world forestry, particularly in the context of the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, while striving to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. The Congress will focus on defining the role of forests in the global developmental agenda (2030 Agenda) and other major agreements including the Global Forest Goals, Paris Agreement and post-2020 global biodiversity framework, and identify key measures necessary for the forest sector to adjust to the new reality and help ‘build back better’.

26 Apr

Planet Earth is not a delicately balanced benign Being, but forests and trees can help – FORESTS NEWS.

During the recent Global Forest Summit, I was asked whether humans were responsible for the various crises we are facing: biodiversity loss; climate change; growing inequalities; unsustainable value chains and food systems. I was also asked to share my views on the depth of these issues and whether we can change many of the fundamental ways we behave quickly enough to avoid the collapse of civilization as we know it.

26 Apr

New paper : Fifteen years of delegated protected area management in West and Central Africa: five recommendations to guide maturity

A review of the lessons learnt from these first 15 years shows that delegated management has improved day-to-day management of these protected areas. There remain, however, challenges with funding and with the capacity of national managerial staff, and also concerns regarding human rights. Based on an analysis of these challenges, I develop five recommendations to guide more mature delegated management....

25 Apr

Biodiversity receives boost as 29 countries pledge over $5 billion to the GEF

More than $5 billion has been pledged by twenty-nine countries for the Global Environment Facility, providing a major boost to international efforts to protect biodiversity and curb threats from climate change, plastics, and toxic chemicals through collaboration action this decade. Announced on April 8, the support totals $5.25 billion and increases the GEF’s funding by nearly 30 percent compared to its most recent four-year operating cycle.

25 Apr

Welcomed increase in funding for chemicals and wastes issues made available for the GEF

The Global Environment Facility, which serves as the financial mechanism for the implementation of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, has announced a substantial increase in funding, which includes a welcomed increase for issues pertaining to chemicals and waste. With 15 percent of the total allocation of funding allocated to the chemicals and waste focal area, the GEF replenishment signals the key role that chemicals and waste management plays in resolving the triple environmental planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.

25 Apr

Resilient Food Systems 2021 Annual Report – GEF

The Resilient Food Systems (RFS) program is one of three Integrated Approach Pilot programs financed by the GEF during the sixth replenishment cycle (GEF-6). In 2021, the RFS program made significant progress toward enhancing the long-term resilience and sustainability of smallholder farming systems in sub-Saharan Africa. The 2021 Programme Highlights showcases the achievements and innovations of the RFS regional partners, country project teams and beneficiary communities across 12 targeted countries.

25 Apr

Orientation Note of the 19th CBFP Meeting of Parties, Libreville, 5-8 July 2022 - Program of the week

CBFP celebrates its 20th anniversary and holds its 19th Meeting of the Parties (MoP 19), 5-8 July 2022, Libreville, Gabon. Continued implementation of the Declaration of Commitment of COMIFAC Member States to the Central African forests and Call for Equitable Financing and the COP 26 Joint Declaration of Congo Basin Donors: Towards sustainable development with a “Fair Deal” for the Congo Basin Forests, their inhabitants, forests and biodiversities.

25 Apr

Information Note : The CBFP celebrates its 20th anniversary and holds its 19th Meeting of Parties (MOP) 5-8 July 2022, in Libreville, Gabon

The facilitation of the Federal Republic of Germany is pleased to announce that the 19th Meeting of Parties of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP) is scheduled to take place from 5 to 9 July 2022, in Libreville (Gabon) in hybrid format. It will be organized by the CBFP Facilitation of the Federal Republic of Germany in close collaboration with the Republic of Gabon and the Central Africa Forest Commission (COMIFAC).

24 Apr

DRC women’s association takes charge of the future, supporting others to do the same – FORESTS NEWS

Akili ni mali – the Swahili translation for knowledge is wealth, is the name adopted by a local women’s association in Yanonge in Democratic Republic of Congo. Led by its president Helen Fatoum, the association involves 20 women who engage in various activities from farming to trading. The Akili ni mali association was created in 2014 in response to economic challenges the women and their families were facing, notably low agricultural yields, low revenues and high loan rates from local financial institutions.

24 Apr

Recognize full value of forests and land use in fight for climate – FORESTS NEWS

Without urgent action to curb global warming, limiting temperature increases to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels will be impossible, says a new report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The rate of planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions has slowed since peaking between 2010 and 2019, but overall, they are at their highest levels.

24 Apr

Celebrating women in environmental conservation – FORESTS NEWS

From the likes of Jane Goodall and Wangari Maathai, to Greta Thunberg, women across the generations have inspired the world to improve environmental conservation efforts. Their work has crossed new boundaries, led to social transformations and, in the case of Maathai — who initiated a major tree planting and women’s rights movement — led to a Nobel Peace Prize.

24 Apr

Blockchain platform offers reforestation efforts access to carbon finance – FORESTS NEWS

In the latest assessment by the U.N. climate science panel, experts emphasized the potential benefits of natural solutions to combat global warming, especially land-based mitigation. The report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says that even if current national climate commitments are met, they will not effectively limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius beyond pre-industrial averages.

24 Apr

Rethinking multi-stakeholder forums for marginalized groups – FORESTS NEWS

Researchers have long agreed that fixing the challenges surrounding the way land and resources are used and managed requires collaboration. But getting it right is not easy. Our new paper published in the journal World Development examines what Indigenous Peoples and local communities (abbreviated as IPLCs) and marginalized actors within those groups (e.g. Indigenous and local community women) think about the “multi-stakeholder forums” they are engaged in and their potential for equitable change.

24 Apr

Latest IPCC Report Stresses Carbon Dioxide Removal, Low-emission Technologies - IISD

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s working group on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (WGIII) met to finalize a summary of its latest report, which targets policymakers. Convening online, the 56th session of the IPCC (IPCC-56) and WGIII-14 met from 21 March-4 April 2022, concluding three days after its scheduled end.

24 Apr

Agreement Scales Up GEF Funding to Address Biodiversity, Climate Change, Pollution - IISD

Negotiations on the eighth replenishment of the Global Environment Facility Trust Fund (GEF-8) concluded with pledges from 29 countries to contribute USD 5.25 billion during the next four-year operating cycle.The total pledges represent an increase of nearly 30 percent compared to GEF-7.Negotiations on GEF-8 began in February 2022 and concluded on 8 April 2022. The talks took place virtually, due to the global pandemic. Over the course of six on-line sessions, contributing participants reviewed the GEF’s performance and evaluated progress, assessed future funding needs, and agreed on a financing framework for new financing commitments for the period from 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2026.

24 Apr

Zero Draft of HLPF Outcome Outlines Recovery Actions – IISD

The agreed outcome of the 2022 UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) is under discussion among UN Member States in “zero draft” form. The next consultation on the draft Ministerial Declaration will convene on 22 April in the ECOSOC chamber. The co-facilitators for consultations on the Ministerial Declaration of the 2022 HLPF and 2022 session of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) – the permanent representatives of Italy and Nauru – circulated the draft on 14 April. The zero draft is based on inputs from delegations in writing and during a meeting on 4 April 2022.

24 Apr

Forums for Asia-Pacific, Europe Complete Regional Reviews ahead of HLPF – IISD

Regional sustainable development forums have convened for the Asia-Pacific and European regions, completing the series of preparatory events in each region ahead of the 2022 UN High-level Political Forum for Sustainable Development (HLPF). The Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD) took place from 28-31 March 2022 in Bangkok, Thailand, followed by the Regional Forum on Sustainable Development for the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) region, from 6-7 April held in Geneva, Switzerland and virtually.

24 Apr

Women, Youth and Climate in Focus at Arab Forum on Sustainable Development – IISD

The Arab Forum for Sustainable Development 2022 convened in Beirut, Lebanon to review progress towards the 2030 Agenda in the Arab region. Challenges facing women, youth, and displaced people were highlighted in opening statements and in the annual report on the region’s SDG progress. Discussions also pointed to Egypt’s hosting of the next Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 27) as an opportunity to emphasize climate adaptation and financing for adaptation.

24 Apr

Agreement bolstering Africa’s climate vulnerable sign of rapid GCF implementation – GREEN CLIMATE FUND

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) has signed an implementation agreement to scale up climate action across 13 African countries soon after the new funding programme was approved by the GCF Board. The programme, implemented by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), empowers African national and local banks to direct funds to help farmers cope with increasingly erratic climate effects while also reducing farming emissions.

24 Apr

GCF partnership with Pegasus set to protect coral reefs across 17 countries - GREEN CLIMATE FUND

The Green Climate Fund’s (GCF’s) first private sector support for the blue economy has taken a step further in bolstering coral reefs from the climate crisis. GCF has signed a funded activity agreement with Pegasus Capital Advisors to unlock USD 125 million of GCF investments in the Global Fund for Coral Reef, an innovative programme which harnesses private sector finances to increase the resilience of coral reefs.

24 Apr

Investing in climate action with GCF - GREEN CLIMATE FUND

To get back on track to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement, a profound step up in political commitments and financing is needed, especially for climate action in developing countries being hit hard by the impacts of climate change. This year’s Earth Day highlights the critical need for investing in our planet to forge partnerships NOW and accelerate the shift towards low emission, climate-resilient development.

24 Apr

GCF launches the Digital Accreditation Platform – GREEN CLIMATE FUND

On 22 March 2022, the Green Climate Fund (GCF) launched the new Digital Accreditation Platform (DAP). GCF is a country-driven partnership institution, and the DAP comes as part of GCF’s digital transformation efforts to bridge gaps and transform business processes with GCF’s partner ecosystem. The DAP replaces the custom-built Online Accreditation System, which has been used since 2014, to support the accreditation of GCF’s partners.

22 Apr

Earth Day 2022: Its history, significance and this year’s theme

World Earth Day 2022: We have been seeing a spurt of climate events over the last decade or more that have affected millions of people, from extreme heat to wildfires and floods. The Covid-19 pandemic, the UN says, is also linked the the health of our ecosystem.

22 Apr

The ATIBT media library: a huge source of information for all - ATIBT

The ATIBT website centralizes numerous publications and data on tropical forest management, tropical timber, and its trade. An important source of information, especially for the members of the Association, accessible in one click! The "tropical timbermedia library" is rich in content. Organized by sections, it includes technical studies, institutional publications and videos.

22 Apr

Which future for community forest allocation in Gabon? – ATIBT

According to Le Nouveau Gabon, Gabon is relaunching the community forest allocation and management process after a 13-year interruption. The figures quoted below should be taken with caution as the process is currently underway. On April 8, the ceremony for the signing and presentation of forest allocation and management agreements to 19 communities out of the 28 files selected and deemed eligible for the signing of agreements took place in Libreville. These 28 files had been submitted for examination by the national land allocation commission.

22 Apr

Green Climate Fund Board streamlines access to finance in major accreditation review USD 187.7 million also approved for new climate projects

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) Board has approved major changes to its accreditation framework to streamline access to climate finance at its 31st Board meeting, which concluded today. The changes will enhance and accelerate access to finance by developing countries, including through the creation of a new, one-step process to fund climate projects. The Board also allocated USD 187.7 million of new GCF resources for climate action, increasing its portfolio to USD 10.2 billion.

22 Apr

GCF Annual Results Report 2021

Annual Results Report 2021: Promoting low emission, climate-resilient recovery and maintaining climate ambitions during the pandemic. GCF's annual report, available in both web and pdf versions, provides an overview of our achievements during 2021.

22 Apr

GHG and carbon tools developed for PAFC Congo Basin concessions - ATIBT

The Programme for Promotion of Certified Forest Operations (PPECF) has commissioned environmental and sustainable forest management consultancy TEREA to develop greenhouse gas (GHG) and forest carbon stock level measuring tools for concession managers operating to the PAFC Congo Basin certification standard. The ATIBT relays this information produced within the framework of the STTC - Fair&Precious newsletter.

17 Apr

Agreement bolstering Africa’s climate vulnerable sign of rapid GCF implementation – GCF

08 Apr

Join us April 8 at the 2022 SKOLL WORLD FORUM

Tune in today April 8 at 8 AM PST/ 11AM EST as EcoAgriculture Partners' President and CEO Sara Scherr joins a panel of social impact and investing experts at the 2022 virtual Skoll World Forum. Their session, Shifting Money and Control to Local Communities for Climate Action, will explore how innovations in landscape financing can directly deliver funds to the local communities who need it most.

07 Apr

Corruption, wildlife crime, and court cases – TRAFFIC

Thoroughly investigating corruption in a wildlife crime court case can disrupt organized criminal groups to a greater extent by potentially identifying higher-level individuals for investigation, arrest, conviction, and appropriate sentencing.

07 Apr

Financial Flows Toolkit to tackle Illegal Wildlife Trade – TRAFFIC

UK and UAE governments launch new toolkit to support financial institutions in tackling illicit money flows associated with illegal wildlife trade at Expo Dubai on 3rd March to coincide with UN World Wildlife Day.

07 Apr

Opportunities abound to restore nature and support climate action – FERN

Nature restoration can be a mighty ally in efforts to achieve climate targets, and the EU and its Member States have two upcoming opportunities to add substantive targets with compelling timelines to their restoration plans. One is the Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) Regulation revision (the European Parliament ENVI Committee is expected to vote on the Parliament’s position on 28 April 2022), and the other is the upcoming EU Nature Restoration Law proposal (expected March 2022).

07 Apr

UN: Droughts, less water in Europe as warming wrecks crops – AP NEWS

LA HERRADURA, Spain (AP) “Herders and farmers have their feet on the ground, but their eyes on the sky.” The old saying is still popular in Spain’s rural communities who, faced with recurrent droughts, have historically paraded sculptures of saints to pray for rain.

06 Apr

Global Center on Adaptation to Integrate Climate Adaptation and Resilience Measures into Desert to Power Initiative

The Sahel region is highly affected by climate change – it represents a severe threat to the livelihoods of more than 80 percent of the population living in rural areas. Climate shocks like droughts are becoming increasingly frequent and are affecting more people, while shorter, more intense and less predictable rainy seasons are increasing the risk of floods.

06 Apr

Global Center on Adaptation to Strengthen Adaptation and Resilience of Renewable Energy Investments in Ghana

Rotterdam, the Netherlands, 23 February 2022 – The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) today announced it will contribute €250,000 from its Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP) to support a detailed climate risk assessment and the integration of adaptation measures during the early stage design and implementation of renewable energy mini grids and net metering systems in Ghana. The investment is part of GCA’s ongoing work to enhance the climate resilience of Ghana’s infrastructure systems which are found to be vulnerable to climate change and require in-depth climate risk assessments to determine the current and projected climate risks.

06 Apr

Recognizing and empowering indigenous peoples and Local Communities as critical partners in forest solutions to the climate emergency - UN-REDD

Indigenous peoples and local communities are crucial stakeholders – as well as rights holders – in the implementation of the Paris Agreement, notably Article 5 (forest-based solutions to the climate emergency).

06 Apr

Global Plastic Outlook Calls for More Circularity, National Roadmaps – IISD

Growing awareness of plastic pollution has influenced public opinion and led to stronger policy interventions, according to the ‘Global Plastics Outlook: Economic Drivers, Environmental Impacts and Policy Options,’ published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in February 2022. The authors report that the current magnitude of plastics consumption globally is leading to a high carbon footprint related to production, as well as to high waste volumes, persistent pollution, and harm to wildlife and ecosystems.

06 Apr

IPCC Chapter Explains What is at Stake amid Climate Change IISD

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and its Working Group II met over the course of two weeks to finalize a summary of the impacts of climate change and how humans can adapt. The summary will be included in the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report (AR6), forthcoming in 2022.

06 Apr

Sixth EU-African Union Summit: A political fig leaf for continued inaction on biodiversity and climate? – Fern

The sixth European Union (EU)-African Union (AU) summit that took place 17- 18 February 2022 in Brussels, Belgium was, according to its organisers, a turning point for a renewed Partnership. Among the issues at stake was the strengthening of the bilateral collaboration to address the multiple challenges of biodiversity conservation and climate change in Africa. Despite commendable declarations and extensive media coverage, however, the summit did not herald the envisaged new partnership of equals, or do much for biodiversity, the climate or vulnerable people.

05 Apr

European Commission Proposes Directive for Corporate Due Diligence on Climate, Human Rights – IISD

The European Commission adopted a proposal on requiring EU companies to conduct “due diligence” processes related to their human rights and environmental impacts. Some businesses would also be required to align their business strategies with limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The directive also extends to companies’ subsidiaries and value chains.

05 Apr

Boost governance in Peru’s secondary forests to enhance landscape restoration – CIFOR

Defined as natural forest regrowth after clearance, secondary forests are estimated to make up 13.3 percent of forest cover in the Peruvian Amazon. They provide 63 percent of forest cover in Southeast Asia, and 34 percent across the lowland Neotropics.

05 Apr

New technologies pave way for land restoration efforts – CIFOR

Research shows that healthy forests and landscapes are not only essential for the long-term welfare of the planet, but for the health of humanity. This is because their contribution to the myriad ecosystem goods and services they provide extend benefits far beyond the local arena.

05 Apr

IPCC PRESS RELEASE - The evidence is clear: the time for action is now. We can halve emissions by 2030.

GENEVA, Apr 4 – In 2010-2019 average annual global greenhouse gas emissions were at their highest levels in human history, but the rate of growth has slowed. Without immediate and deep emissions reductions across all sectors, limiting global warming to 1.5°C is beyond reach. However, there is increasing evidence of climate action, said scientists in the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report released today.

04 Apr

The creation of African Equatorial Hardwoods confirms Gabon's ambitions for sustainable timber management – ATIBT

According to a publication of La Libbreville, the company African Equatorial Hardwoods, which is the result of the merger of the groups African Conservation Development and Cora Wood Gabon, plans to invest 20 billion CFA francs by 2026, in the south of the country, for the construction of a new wood processing plant. The ATIBT shares this article with you.

04 Apr

Gabon and Suriname want to cooperate on sustainable forest management – ATIBT

The Republic of Suriname, of which nearly 95% of the territory is covered by forest, wishes to develop its forestry economy and draw inspiration from the Gabonese model. A delegation from Suriname visited the Nkok Special Economic Zone in mid-March.

04 Apr

The Carrefour International du Bois will take place in Nantes on June 1st, 2nd and 3rd 2022 – ATIBT

The next edition of the Carrefour International du Bois (CIB), during which the ATIBT Forum will take place, will be held from June 1st to 3rd in Nantes at the Parc des Expositions de la Beaujoire. The Carrefour International du Bois is a key event in the industry, bringing together the largest range of wood products in Europe: sawmills, panels, flooring, cladding, wood construction solutions, wood for interior and exterior fittings.

04 Apr

Congolaise Industrielle des Bois (CIB) has become the first company in Africa to achieve FSCTM project certification – ATIBT

ATIBT relays here the press release published on the website of the Olam Agri group, and congratulates the CIB for its commitment in the certification! Brazzaville, Congo - Congolaise Industrielle des Bois (CIB), a subsidiary of Olam Agri, has become the first company in Africa to complete a Forest Stewardship Council™(FSC™) certified project with the construction of a restaurant for employees of the Wildlife Conservation Society Congo (WCS) and Fondation Nouabale Ndoki (FNN).