Title: "Promotion of sustainable forest management (SFM) and certification in timber producing countries of Western and Central Africa".

Project number: B7-5041/95.08/VIII/FOR (with Logical Framework)

Amount: 737.000 ECU

Contractor: WWF Belgium -NGO (Brussels -B)

Field: Certification

Country: Western and Central Africa

Date of signature: 22.12.95 (and date of receipt by the Commission)

Duration: 14 months (12 in terms of reference??)

The Global objective of the project is the sustainable development of forest resources in timber producing countries of W&C Africa by supporting the development of certification.

Objectives:

• Establish a framework for the definition and development of certification schemes in a pilot country (Cameroon);
• Prepare a framework for the definition and development of certification schemes on a regional scale;
• Improve understanding and commitment for timber certification among importers/industrials of African timber in Europe;
• Design and extended project on SFM and certification in the region.

Activities:

The establishment of a frame work for certification in Cameroon

• Mission of European timber industrials/WWF in to Cameroon;
• Information gathering and consultancies with stockholders;
• Develop a programme of awareness, and understanding among major stockholders;
• Develop a National Working Group Cameroon;
• Identification of forest concession for pilot certification;

Commitment for the establishment of a regional framework for timber certification

• Participation to the EU regional seminar to inform the participants on the Protocol on Sustainable Management of Forest Resources and the EU Programme on certification;
• Consultation among major stockholders active in SFM and certification in the region;
• Starting information gathering and consultation process in 2 extra countries;
• Organisation of a regional seminar;

Increased level of understanding/commitment for timber certification among importers/industrials in EU-member states:

• Preliminary contacts with the timber federations in 3 selected EU member states in order to explain Belgium and UK timber industrials supporting SFM and independent certification (FSC: Forest Stewardship Council);

• Preparation of 2 seminars within Europe to inform and stimulate timber industrials for engagements toward certification and marketing of certified wood;
• Development of groups of committed industrials in selected EU countries (both Northern and Southern);

Reporting and recommendations for an extended phase:

• Propose the interim report;

• Propose the final report;
• Prepare recommendations for extension at regional level.

Results expected:

1. The establishment of a framework for certification in Cameroon;
2. Commitment for the establishment of a regional framework for timber certification;
3. Increased level of understanding/commitment for timber certification among importers/industrials in EU-member states;
4. Reporting and recommendations for an extended phase.

Beneficiaries:

• Selected West and Central African states who are able to demonstrate SFM in pilot forest areas;
• Local people and indigenous groups that need to be involved in the decision-making process;
• Selected commercial forestry organisations who achieve certification;
• EU member states who are able to respond to demands of consumers for actions on loss of tropical forests.

Implementation strategy:

Seminar, travels, consultancies (NGO's, African consultants), Project manager, Forestry consultant, offices rent, transport, material aid, training, supplies and services/facilities, external financial audit, administration.

• Certification demands can augment pressure to speed up the process but large investments and effective commitments are needed (to be borne and made by authorities, private companies and the donor community);
• Certification can only work effectively, if the majority of the markets demand for certified timber.
• Outputs:
• So far, creation of awareness on certification has started both in Cameroon (where a national working group was set up) and on a regional scale;
• In Europe preliminary contacts were made with some stockholders and the first workshop in Brussels (June 13-14) was made;

Proceedings of "Souther European seminar on forest certification and timber labelling with special reference to West and Central Africa": the general conclusion of the 2 workshops (Timber markets in Southern Europe (trade opportunities and constraints; mechanisms to set up buyer's groups in Southern Europe) are:

• In southern Europe is necessary to establish a consumers awareness campaign to increase the very poor demand of certified products;
• Concerning Southern Europe, only in Spain seems to exist at present a real concern about certification in all stockholders, whereas in the other countries more research and information should be provided to timber companies, in spite NGOs interest in this process;
• All the participants agreed on very high initial costs of certification and that they should be reduced by government legislation and/or public aids;
• The promotion of certified products is currently a priority to all NGOs attending this seminar, and those present agree that sustainable forest management is an essential premise to achieve conservation of forest quality and extent. Certification is recognised by everyone as one important tool to achieve.

Final report (June 1997)

Conclusion:

• In the context of West and Central Africa, certification is and will only be one of the tools which can potentially help towards the goal of achievement Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) in the region. Furthermore, for the moment, demands for African certified timber remain limited due to limited sensitive markets;
• There is still too little practical field experience to evaluate the positive and potentially negative aspects of certification in the world and more specifically in Africa. However, as the evolution of certification world-wide might cause potential inequalities towards tropical countries and small producers-simply because of costs and access to information- it is important that both promoters and donor agencies pay sufficient attention to these aspects. Furthermore mechanisms can be built in so that benefits return to the forest;
• Few companies will make investments toward better forest management, if they are not forced to do so. Most importantly in this context, is the application of well-elaborated forestry regulations within the countries themselves, coupled with sufficient control by the Forest Services. Demands for certified timber can help to increase the pressure on the companies, and the need for investments in the SFM;
• Although certification will not be able to resolve the forest problems in the Congo Basin, it should however be seen as a potential "catalyst for change in tropical forest management in the region for several reasons:

1. certification assumes a process of setting standards, including all stackeholders. The participatory process of consultation with multiple stakeholder groups has provide a new dimension in the perspective of SFM;
2. certification draws attention to the importance of "good forest management" and is a potential driving force for "setting good examples;
3. certification leads to an increased awareness of industries on "good forest management" and is a driving force for the formation of potentially constructive partnerships between industries and NGO's;
4. certification includes a system of external repetitive audits. For a company investing in certification, a plan is developed to improve the forest management performance step by step; it is a potential tool for the company to continue its efforts for better forest management;
5. In Europe, certification provides a potential tool for consumers and citizens to act constructively for a better management of the world's forests.