Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) of an agroforestry plantation Congo

Context of the service

The National Reforestation Program (PRONAR) of Congo is a national initiative led by the Ministry of Forest Economy, aiming at the afforestation of one million hectares. 70% of this reforestation must be carried out by the private sector.

It is in this context that a French industrial group has chosen to invest in a project aimed to afforest 40,000 hectares of a 55,000-hectare land concession, with a significant proportion of 2,000 hectares under agroforestry managed by local communities. The aim of the project is to produce carbon credits certified according to the VCS and CCBS standards.

In accordance with Congolese legislation, this project is subject to a prior Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA). In view of its own commitments, the investor has chosen to refer to the World Bank's Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) for this ESIA, the implementation of which has been entrusted to SalvaTerra.

Services provided

The Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) of the project was carried out in accordance with Congolese legislation and the World Bank's Environmental and Social Framework (ESF). The work lasted 29 months, from January 2022 to May 2024.

The social diagnosis was based on a preliminary public survey, socio-economic surveys on 588 households, 19 village meetings and participatory mapping and 4 workshops with local stakeholders. The biodiversity diagnosis was based on in-situ inventories (flora, avifauna, mammals, ichthyofauna). The baseline state of the physical environment was determined by the analysis of soil, water, air and noise, compared to national and international standards.

The ESIA was used to draw up an Environmental and Social Management Plan, and led to numerous complementary studies (Livelihood Restoration Plan, Prior and Free Informed Consent, Biodiversity Management Plan, etc.).

Summary of the service

Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), according to World Bank standards, for a 40,000 ha reforestation project, including 2,000 ha of community-managed agroforestry plantations. Project financed by private investment (under confidentiality agreement), within the framework of the National Reforestation Program (PRONAR) of Congo. Coordination of a team of 20 experts mobilized on the biodiversity and social aspects of the study.