Mozambique gets new interim forest standard to boost sustainable forestry

Maputo: The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has announced the publication of a new Interim Forest Stewardship Standard (IFSS) for Mozambique, a move aimed at strengthening sustainable forest management and improving transparency in one of Africa’s most forest-rich countries.

The new standard applies to all forest management units, including Small or Low Intensity Managed Forests (SLIMFs), but excludes Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs).

FSC said the IFSS is expected to help communities and forest businesses access environmentally conscious markets and donor support, even as domestic demand for certified forest products remains limited.

Mozambique’s forests cover nearly 40% of the country, dominated by ecologically important Miombo woodlands that support biodiversity, climate resilience and rural livelihoods.

Millions of Mozambicans depend on forests for timber, charcoal, employment and subsistence. However, decades of illegal logging and slash-and-burn agriculture have severely degraded forest resources, with nearly 60% of forests affected and an annual forest loss rate of 0.58%, costing the economy an estimated $500 million each year.

The government has stepped up efforts to curb forest degradation, including a ban on raw log exports of 22 “first class species”, forcing concession holders to process timber domestically to retain value and create jobs.

Mozambique has also aligned its forestry policies with its climate commitments under the Paris Agreement, pledging through its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to reduce emissions by 76.5 million tonnes by 2030.

The country was the first globally to receive results-based payments from the World Bank’s Forest Carbon Partnership Facility for REDD+ implementation.

Despite these measures, illegal logging remains widespread. Between 2017 and 2020, an estimated 2.6 million tonnes of logs worth $900 million were illegally exported, undermining conservation efforts and state revenues.

While enforcement has been strengthened through international cooperation and improved monitoring, limited resources continue to hamper effective action.

FSC said the new IFSS offers forest operators a credible framework to demonstrate sustainability, improve governance and gain access to higher-value international markets, particularly in Europe, where demand for certified timber is growing.

Mozambique’s engagement with FSC dates back to 2005, supported by organisations such as WWF, FSC Denmark, and FSC South Africa, and the national association AGREF.

The new standard was developed through an extensive and inclusive process, involving consultations, field visits in provinces such as Sofala and Manica, and input from more than 160 stakeholders, including communities, government agencies, NGOs and private companies.

According to FSC, the IFSS aligns forest management with Mozambique’s broader climate and development strategies, including the Climate Promise, AFR100, the Maputo Declaration, and community-led forest management initiatives.

These efforts aim to restore degraded landscapes, protect Miombo ecosystems, promote green jobs and ensure that local communities benefit more equitably from forest resources.

With the new standard now in place, FSC says Mozambique is better positioned to link sustainable timber production with climate action, biodiversity conservation and rural economic development.