Press release - October 16, 2017
Douala, 16 October 2017 - A High Carbon Stock (HCS) Approach to forest management has been at the center of discussions between Greenpeace Africa and environmental stakeholders in a working session held on Monday in Douala. The workshop, taking place on board Greenpeace ship, The Esperanza, sought to explore the importance of HCS in forest conservation.
Opened by Greenpeace Africa Executive Director, Njeri Kabeberi, and attended by Cameroonian government officials, civil society organisations, communities and other stakeholders, the workshop had as theme: “Putting Zero Deforestation into Practice: the High Carbon Stock Approach (HCS)”. This approach seeks to acquaint participants with the experiences and advantages gained by their counterparts in Indonesia on conserving the environment while maintaining lands to farm on. It also offers a viable alternative to address industrial agriculture expansion into forested community areas.
The HCS Approach is a method used to distinguish high value forest areas which should be protected, from degraded lands with a low biodiversity and carbon value which can be developed. The main goal is to ensure that the rights and livelihoods of local peoples are respected when forest are allocated for industrial Agriculture projects.
“Greenpeace Africa is committed to work with stakeholders in the region to enhance the protection of intact forest landscapes on the continent. This workshop is a first step towards assessing the problematic state of industrial agriculture in Cameroon; highlight alternative solution and introduce the HCS approach to Cameroonian stakeholders,” said Njeri Kabeberi, Greenpeace Africa Executive Director.
The forest serves as natural carbon store soaking up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Excessive carbon in the air can result in earth’s temperatures rising. This contributes to climate change which can have grave consequences such as unstable weather patterns, sudden floods and crop failure. The HCS approach is thus essential for carbon control, biodiversity preservation, safeguarding the rights and livelihoods of local communities and eliminating deforestation.
“With the negative effects of industrial agriculture on the environment, HCS approach is a transparent and scientifically credible approach to implement commitments to halt deforestation in the tropics, while ensuring that the rights and livelihoods of local people are respected. HCS forest are preserved for local communities as they protect water catchment areas, conserve forest areas for collecting fruits, nuts, medicine, and other materials and keep forest for future generations” said Sylvie Djacbou, Greenpeace Africa Forest Campaigner.
Media contact:
; Greenpeace Africa Forest Campaigner; (237) 652233542
; Greenpeace Africa Forest Communications Officer;
(237) 677345612