The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has introduced a new Interim Forest Stewardship Standard (IFSS) for Sierra Leone. This new guideline was officially approved on October 2, 2025, and will begin on March 15, 2026.
The IFSS aims to help forest managers, businesses, and various stakeholders in Sierra Leone manage forests responsibly. This is essential for ensuring sustainable practices in sourcing forest products.
Sierra Leone is deeply committed to protecting its forests. The IFSS will complement the “Protect Sierra Leone Programme,” a government initiative launched in early 2025. Part of its mission is to safeguard biodiversity and improve natural resource management, aligning with the Global Biodiversity Framework. This framework aims to protect 30% of the world’s land and ocean by 2030.
Moreover, the new standard supports Sierra Leone’s commitment to the African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative (AFR100). This initiative aims to restore roughly 0.7 million hectares of land by 2030. Additionally, it plays a part in the country’s climate goals, which include reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 10% by 2030 and by 25% by 2050, based on 2005 levels. With the IFSS, Sierra Leone hopes to reverse the loss of 2.17 million hectares of tree cover since 2001, reflecting a 39% decrease from 2000.
The IFSS also opens up new job opportunities in the forest sector for local communities. Presently, about 14.7% of Sierra Leone’s land is covered by forests, with another 61.1% classified as other wooded areas. The new guidelines will enhance the protection of Sierra Leone’s ecosystems, including mangroves and rainforests. This will allow for not only better conservation but also the benefits of ecosystem services.
Patrick Epie, FSC’s coordinator for the Congo Basin and West Africa, stated, “Sierra Leone’s Interim Forest Stewardship Standard is a key step in advancing responsible forest management. It will support local livelihoods and align with national and international environmental commitments.”
In summary, this new standard represents a significant move toward sustainable forestry practices in Sierra Leone, showing a strong dedication to preserving its natural resources while supporting community well-being.
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Forest Stewardship Council (FSC),Interim Forest Stewardship Standard (IFSS),Sierra Leone
