FSC_Southern-Africa

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a voluntary certification system for sustainable forestry world-wide. Follow her what is happening in Southern Africa.

[FSC_Southern-Africa @FscSouth]

Strong certification systems are built through people, skills and partnerships. 🌲

Following the partnership between FSC Africa and ASTRAcademy, potential training opportunities are being explored to strengthen FSC certification capacity in Southern Africa.

Training areas may include:

🌲 Forest Management certification
🔗 Chain of Custody certification
🌿 Ecosystem Services
🛡️ High Conservation Values
📋 Auditing techniques

These areas are relevant for certificate holders, forestry and forest-based businesses, consultants, NGOs, auditors and sustainability professionals working to advance responsible forest management.

The aim is to build technical competence, deepen understanding of FSC requirements and support responsible forest management across the region.

Organizations and professionals in Southern Africa interested in these training opportunities are encouraged to explore ASTRAcademy’s course areas and connect for more information.

Explore ASTRAcademy training opportunities:
https://t.co/AQnX7rm8DL

Read more about the FSC Africa and ASTRAcademy partnership:
https://t.co/w5n8dI0MSl

#FSCSouthernAfrica #FSCAfrica #ASTRAcademy #ResponsibleForestry #CapacityBuilding #ForestManagement #ChainOfCustody #ForestsForAllForever

[Forest Stewardship Council - Eastern Africa @FSC_EA]

In Lesotho, football is creating impact beyond the pitch
The Stadium of Life, Africa’s first FSC-certified timber stadium, was built using 8,584 eucalyptus poles from responsibly managed forests.
More than a stadium, it’s a space for education, women’s sport, culture, and youth.

[FSC_Southern-Africa @FscSouth]

What does the future of Africa’s forests look like? 🌍🌿

This #AfricaDay, we reflect on the role forests continue to play in restoration, livelihoods, biodiversity, resilience, and sustainable development across the continent.

Read more: https://t.co/XdPbVz9NGE

#FSCAfrica #ForestsForAllForever

[FSC_Southern-Africa @FscSouth]

How do we turn global biodiversity goals into measurable local impact? Responsible forest management can help.

FSC's globally consistent standards are adapted to local realities in more than 100 countries. We work with people on the ground – where forests are managed, restored, and protected – connecting those efforts to global impact.

And through Verified Impact – our solution to measure and demonstrate real outcomes – we support forest managers in showing the benefits their forests provide – including biodiversity protection.

Watch FSC’s Policy and Performance Director Joanna Nowakowska explain how working with local communities and blending public and private finance can help achieve the goals of the Global Biodiversity Framework.

#BiodiversityDay #LocalAction

[FSC_Southern-Africa @FscSouth]

Indigenous Peoples and local communities manage over a quarter of the world's land and protect most of its biodiversity. They are also stewards of 54% of the world's remaining intact forests. 🌿

For Indigenous Peoples, forests are not just resources — they are identity, culture, and life.
We have evidence: lands managed by Indigenous Peoples show lower deforestation rates than lands managed by others. (World Resources Institute)

As climate change, biodiversity loss, and deforestation accelerate, the importance of Indigenous stewardship has never been more critical. Their knowledge systems and deep connection to the land are essential for responsible forest management.

At FSC, we work with Indigenous Peoples in three important ways. Watch the video to learn more. 👆

#IndigenousPeoples #ForestStewardship #FSC #Biodiversity #ResponsibleForestry #ClimateAction #FSCAfrica

[FSC_Southern-Africa @FscSouth]

We have launched a new FSC Interim Forest Stewardship Standard for Natural Forests in South Africa, covering indigenous forests, qualifying Savanna woodlands, and invasive alien plant management. Effective 1 July 2026.

Read more: https://t.co/dM18iONPpv

#FSC #NaturalForests #SouthAfrica

[FSC_Southern-Africa @FscSouth]

Africa just made history. 🌍

The FSC Stadium of Life is open. Africa's first stadium built with sustainably sourced, FSC-certified timber, designed and built by Rise International and independently certified by DNV Business Assurance.

"It is built, pole by pole, partnership by partnership. Africa is not waiting to follow global sustainability trends; Africa is defining them." — Gerard Busse, FSC Africa and Middle East.

Read more: https://t.co/UXnRnKs3OY

#FSCStadiumOfLife

[FSC_Southern-Africa @FscSouth]

It’s never just a forest.

It’s biodiversity.
It’s clean water.
It’s people’s livelihoods.

🌳 This is what we stand for.

#ForestsForAllForever #Sustainability #GenerationRestoration

[FSC_Southern-Africa @FscSouth]

✨ Something new is starting.

On International Women’s Day, we’re launching Where Women Took the Forest — a year-long campaign tracing how women have shaped forestry.

Across the year, we’ll explore the roles women have played across the forestry sector, across generations, and across the systems that define how forests are managed today.

Each month, a new chapter.

#InternationalWomensDay #IWD2026 #WomenInForestry #ForestsForAllForever

[FSC_Southern-Africa @FscSouth]

We asked our members to describe FSC in one word.

Each answer comes from a different place - geography, experience, responsibility. Together, they show the range of voices behind FSC.

Learn more about FSC membership and how to become a member here: https://t.co/iD80pgIMJ1

[FSC_Southern-Africa @FscSouth]

Indigenous Peoples are Africa’s forest guardians.
#ZambaHeritage, FSC Africa highlighted how IPs’ knowledge, culture, and stewardship are key to sustainable forest management — from FPIC to national standards. Forests thrive when rights, science, and communities lead together.

[FSC_Southern-Africa @FscSouth]

Day 2 of #ZambaHeritage shifted from commitments to action. Africa’s forests are being structured as sustainable, investable assets through restoration, FSC certification, trade integration, & catalytic finance.

[FSC_Southern-Africa @FscSouth]

“SFM is no longer compliance — it’s an investment case.”
At #ZambaHeritage, private sector leaders highlighted certification, traceability, digital monitoring & local processing as key to unlocking forest finance in Africa.
Forests are becoming long-term ESG assets.

[FSC_Southern-Africa @FscSouth]

Africa holds 635M ha of forests but captures only a fraction of their value.
At #ZambaHeritage, Forest Expert Peter Gondo called for bold forest finance — green bonds, carbon markets, debt for nature swaps, and smart public-private partnerships.
#FSCForAllForever #ForestFinance

[FSC_Southern-Africa @FscSouth]

At #ZambaHeritage, Fabrice Inkonkoy, UNEP Programme Officer, highlighted the Congo Basin Landscapes Initiative: a multi-country effort securing 1.2M ha of forests, mobilizing $200M+, and directly supporting 500,000+ people.

[FSC_Southern-Africa @FscSouth]

At #ZambaHeritage, Victor Mwanga, Founder & CEO of EarthLungs Reforestation Foundation, reminded us: #Africa’s natural heritage is a living system.
#73.8M+ trees grown across Kenya, Tanzania & Mozambique.
#3,957 ha restored.
#Thousands of green jobs created.

#FSCForAllForever

[FSC_Southern-Africa @FscSouth]

At #ZambaHeritage, Dr Doris Mutta of the African Forest Forum emphasized that Africa’s forests are heritage, livelihoods, and economic assets.
With 4,000 members across 83 countries, AFF is advancing science-based policy, certification, capacity building, and forest governance.

[FSC_Southern-Africa @FscSouth]

At the Zámba Heritage Congress, Kevin Juma, Africa Climate Director, The Nature Conservancy, highlighted how TNC’s climate and forest finance work aligns with the Zámba Heritage Initiative.

By 2030, TNC Africa aims to reduce 40 million tonnes of CO₂ annually, support 15 million hectares under sustainable management, and improve land security and climate resilience for millions.

Through innovative mechanisms such as Project Finance for Permanence, Nature Bonds, and the Africa Forest Carbon Catalyst, TNC is helping unlock long-term, large-scale financing for forest landscapes across the continent.

The message was clear: delivering on Zámba’s ambition requires finance that works, strong governance, and partnerships that connect conservation, markets, and communities.

#ZambaHeritage #AfricaForForests #ClimateFinance #FSCForAllForever

[FSC_Southern-Africa @FscSouth]

🌍 Zámba Heritage Initiative Congress – Day 3 is Live!

Join the conversations shaping Africa’s forest future.

🎥 Watch Live:
English: https://t.co/CgdG8dh63n
French: https://t.co/GM69pqDiOm

#ZambaHeritage #FSCforAfrica #SustainableForestry #ForestLeadership

[FSC_Southern-Africa @FscSouth]

At the Congress in Nairobi, Dr Subhra Bhattacharjee, FSC Director General, reminded us that Africa’s forests are a global public good and protecting them requires African leadership, rights based commitments to communities and Indigenous Peoples, and finance that works.