Intact Forest Landscapes (IFLs)

In FSC's Principles and Criteria, Intact Forest Landscapes (IFLs) are recognized as High Conservation Value 2 (HCV 2) areas. Their maintenance and enhancement are therefore key in FSC standards and requirements.

FSC's approach to certifying forest management units that overlap with IFLs has been based on a global minimum level of protection within certified areas. The current rule requires 80% protection of IFLs areas within certified forest management units applicable globally. Countries are allowed to adopt a different protection threshold when justified through their national standards.

In October of 2022, at the FSC General Assembly FSC members passed Motion 23/2020 Use landscape-wide approaches adapted to local conditions and strengthen Standard Development Groups (SDGs), asking FSC to apply landscape considerations when certifying forest management units in IFLs. Landscape considerations look beyond the certified forest management unit, at the surrounding landscape and stakeholders.

To implement Motion 23 (M23), FSC actively engaged with members, researchers, technical experts, interested stakeholders, national offices, and the Focus Forests Advisory Group. A procedure and an accompanying guidance document were developed to orientate standard development groups (SDGs) in revising IFL indicators under the M23 approach. SDGs are groups recognized by FSC to develop or update standards in their specific territory in accordance with FSC requirements and have representation from the environmental, economic, and social chambers.

Four countries with relevant IFL areas signed up to test the Motion 23 approach. Brazil, Canada, Peru, and the Republic of the Congo conducted M23 pilots during 2024 and 2025 following the key aspects (1-5):

The M23 pilots involved strong local engagement and a high-level of technical expertise, resulting in a better understanding of the status of IFLs at the local level. At the same time, without diminishing the valuable lessons learned, the landscape-based approach developed under M23 proved operationally unsustainable. Considering this and in light of the new approach introduced through Motion 45 (M45), the M23 approach will not be extended to other contexts. See the evolution of the normative process related to Motion 23 here (Revision of requirements for Intact Forest Landscapes (IFL) conservation).

Brazil, Canada, Peru, and the Republic of the Congo, which recently finalized revisions to their Forest Stewardship Standards (FSS) through the Motion 23 (M23) pilot process, continue to play a leading role in implementing the refined approach to Intact Forest Landscapes (IFLs) introduced under Motion 45/2025. In these countries, interim measures developed for the initial implementation of Motion 45 through the Advice Note ADV-STD-60-004_02 will be applied in addition to, rather than replacing, the revised IFL indicators included in their newly approved standards.

As mentioned above, the full implementation of Motion 45 will take place through the revision of the FSC Principles and Criteria and the International Generic Indicators (IGIs), known as the PCI revision. The Advice Note (ADV-STD-60-004_02) will inform this process, particularly the revision of Principle 9 indicators, helping shape future requirements for High Conservation Value 2 (HCV 2) areas and Intact Forest Landscapes (IFLs). Figure 3 below shows in a timeline how the revised Forest Stewardship Standards (FSS), the Advice Note, and the PCI revision process fit together.