Focus Forests

Globally, our forests are increasingly faced with deforestation and forest degradation. There is a growing need to protect forests with unique social and environmental values such as Intact Forest landscapes (IFL), old-growth forests, Indigenous Cultural Landscapes (ICL) and similar forests.  But often, there is disagreement on the right approach to protect or conserve these forests.  

FSC is doing this by introducing a global framework for discussion and a new method for dialogues.

FSC_DK_GABON

Developing a framework for dialogue

FSC is working with various researchers led by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ETH to set out a framework of definitions, values, and maps that serve as a starting point to gain agreement through dialogue. 

Using Behavioural + Game Theory

A group of stakeholders from different sectors will be brought together, in person or virtually, to address a specific forest landscape. They will discuss, listen to one another, and agree where conservation/protection, ecosystem services, extraction and restoration could best be developed and what roles FSC and FSC certification could play in these landscapes. 

game theory

 

Testing the methodology

Tropical forests are shaped by human intervention at multiple scales. In Gabon, the concept of IFL has steered international initiatives aimed to foster better management practices, however, competing economic, environmental, and social interests inhibited their ability to agree upon sustainability strategies for these landscapes. 

Using a common framework and game-theory, a role-playing game combined with facilitation techniques to support stalled negotiations of the working group of practitioners (Regional Working Group on High Conservation Values of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Congo Basin Program), participants created a common understanding of a system they thought they knew. This facilitated their decision-making process thanks to the exploration of possible scenarios and outcomes, successfully bridging the gap between science, policy, and practice helping people reach agreement and make better decisions. 

Louise Kavira, member of the PIPC, Democratic Republic of Congo, says: 

Before coming, I thought there would not be an evolution in the way I would comprehend things. When I arrived, I saw the game on the table and asked myself what this is. And after two hours, I began to understand.  

According to Vincent Istace, CIB-OLAM: 

 was afraid that the game would simplify too much the hypothesis and that it would distort reality, but I am positively surprised. It [The game] helped us think, reduced the level of conflict and changed the mood of the debate.

Mathieu Auger Schwarzenberg, previous FSC Congo Basin Director, says

The game allowed them to enter the dialogue irrespective of their knowledge and expertise. […] The model enabled all chambers to engage […] and allowed to come to a consensus from within the group. 

Edwige Eyang Effa IRET-CENAREST, Gabon says: 

The back and forth between the game and reality allowed to illustrate and clarify the concept. The consensus was easier to find and the game allowed for a more constructive debate. Hence, it was only afterwards that it became clear why the game is useful.

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Downloads

Focus Forests - Fact Sheet_EN
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Focus Forests - Fact Sheet_ES
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Focus Forests - Fact Sheet_FR
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Focus Forests - FAQ_EN
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Focus Forests - FAQ_ES
PDF, Size: 1.58MB
Focus Forests - FAQ_FR
PDF, Size: 1.61MB
Focus Forests Landscape Dialogue – Coordination and Logistics_EN
PDF, Size: 840.08KB
Focus Forests Landscape Dialogue - Coordination and Logistics_ES
PDF, Size: 855.62KB
Focus Forests Landscape Dialogue - Coordination and Logistics_FR
PDF, Size: 836.91KB
Focus Forests Landscape Dialogue – Info Sheet_EN
PDF, Size: 1.38MB
Focus Forests Landscape Dialogue - Info Sheet_ES
PDF, Size: 1.46MB
Focus Forests Landscape Dialogue - Info Sheet_FR
PDF, Size: 1.57MB
FSC Focus Forests Green-Paper EN (Survey)
PDF, Size: 1.52MB
FSC Focus Forests Green Paper SPA (encuesta)
PDF, Size: 1.58MB
FSC Focus Forests Green-Paper POR (Survey)
PDF, Size: 1.26MB
FSC Focus Forests Green Paper FRE (Survey)
PDF, Size: 1.53MB
FSC Focus Forests Green-Paper RUS (Survey)
PDF, Size: 1.41MB
M34 Report_Brazil.pdf
PDF, Size: 1.98MB
M34 Report_Canada.pdf
PDF, Size: 7.34MB
M34 Report_Congo Basin.pdf
PDF, Size: 2.39MB
M34 Report_Russia.pdf
PDF, Size: 828.52KB
Summary M34 Report_EN.pdf
PDF, Size: 2.40MB
Summary M34 Report_FR.pdf
PDF, Size: 2.67MB
Summary M34 Report_POR.pdf
PDF, Size: 2.61MB
Summary M34 Report_RUS.pdf
PDF, Size: 2.67MB
Summary M34 Report_SPA.pdf
PDF, Size: 2.54MB
forests for the future

Forest for the future podcast series. Episode 16: New ways to find common ground. Landscape approaches in FSC with Gemma Boetekees, FSC Stakeholder Solutions Director and Claude Garcia, Senior Scientist at ETHZ and CIRAD

10.02.2021. In this episode we are going to look beyond FSC and certification for forest areas. We are going to look at the concept of landscape approaches and how we as FSC can help facilitate a holistic approach to management of landscapes across interests and stakeholders.