Another of South Pole's climate action projects that works with local communities to reforest an important watershed with native species. Image credit: Procuenca
The Forest Stewardship Council (FCS) and South Pole are partnering to support and develop nature based solutions projects within forest management-certified areas in Africa and Latin America.
The two organisations will work together with forest stewards to develop best-in-class projects in line with both robust carbon certification and FSC certification. The collaboration will deliver streamlined and standard approaches for certified Forest Managers wishing to connect to climate finance opportunities.
“We are excited to draw on the complementary expertise that South Pole and FSC bring to the partnership," says Esther Rohena, Director of Global Expansion and Partnerships for Climate Projects at South Pole. “We believe this double assurance of quality will help landowners gain an additional revenue stream from carbon finance by managing their forests in a way that avoids carbon emissions, preserves biological diversity, and benefits the local community and economy."
“For FSC, it is all about enabling Forest Stewards around the world to benefit from the true value of their forests," says Asger Strange Olesen, Chief Climate and Ecosystem Officer at FSC International. “Certified Forest products is the foundation and core of FSC, but for many stewards, carbon and other ecosystem services can be a desirable and viable additional source of income. By achieving carbon certification on land that is already FSC-certified, forest stewards can connect to carbon markets and thereby raise the bar on integrity and quality: FSC's strict rules on, for example, free, prior and informed consent (FPIC), legality, inclusion, and chemicals will make carbon credits from certified forests a true premium offer, delivering true value back to forest stewards. South Pole can make it happen."
South Pole, an award-winning climate project developer and solutions provider, has been at the forefront of decarbonisation since its creation in 2006. It has developed more than 700 projects in more than 50 countries and helped provide social benefits to less privileged communities particularly vulnerable to climate change. Its projects range from sustainable agriculture and forest conservation to waste management, energy efficiency and decentralised renewable energy.
FSC, a non-profit membership organisation that covers over 200 million hectares of certified forests, has worked to foster the sustainable management of forest resources for more than 25 years, making them environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable. As the most recognised, trusted and rigorous forest certification system, FSC has a mission is to protect healthy and resilient forests – for all, forever. FSC's responsible forestry standard, linked to a strict chain of custody certification, is a proven solution to today's climate and biodiversity challenges.
Contact us to understand how you can work together with South Pole and FCS on nature based solutions or for FSC, please contact us via email: ecosystemservices@fsc.org
