Implementing principles, criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management in Gabon

ABSTRACT

Sustainable forest management is the process of managing forest to achieve one or more clearly specified objectives without diminishing the forest’s ability to continue providing goods and services in perpetuity. In this paper, we show how the African Timber Organization/International Tropical Timber Organization principles, criteria and indicators for the sustainable management of African forests can help timber companies assess their progress towards this goal in Gabon. Through a partnership between International Tropical Timber Organization project PD 124/01 Rev. 2(M), the World Wildlife Fund, and the ministry responsible for forests in Gabon, audits were conducted between 2012 and 2014 to evaluate the implementation of sustainable forest management in 14 forest concessions in Gabon. In general, results show that Principle 4, linked to the well-being of workers and local populations, proved the most difficult principle to implement, while Principle 3, dealing with maintaining ecological functions, was the least problematic. A number of companies were found to be experiencing significant difficulties in implementing management plans. It is also clear that independent forest certification has become a key element for ensuring the successful implementation of sustainable forest management.

KEYWORDS:

• Sustainable forest management
• principles
• criteria and indicators
• forest certification
• Gabon

Acknowledgments

The first author thanks ITTO and the ministry in charge of forests in Gabon for facilitating the field missions, the WWF Gabon Office and ITTO project PD 124 Rev.2 (M) for financial and logistical support, and ANPN, Omar Bongo University, Conservation et Justice NGO and forest companies for their participation in audit missions.