Moving the conversation on Intact Forest Landscapes forward

Intact Forest Landscapes (IFLs) are the world’s last remaining large, un-fragmented forest areas undisturbed by roads or other significant human infrastructure. Many IFLs count among the world’s richest environments for biodiversity; they are an essential source of carbon storage; and are home to millions of animal species, as well as forest-dependent communities and Indigenous Peoples. While IFLs occur in 60 countries, 65 per cent are found in Canada, the Amazon, Brazil, Congo Basin and Russia.

In recent years, Intact Forest Landscapes (IFLs) have been the subject of considerable discussion in countries that have large, forested areas certified to FSC standards. Some members argue that much more of the environmentally and socially valuable forests need to be fully protected, and that these forests should not be certified for production. Other members argue that responsible use of forests is necessary to protect these valuable forests against illegal activity and conversion.

Strong concerns about Motion 65/2014 were raised early on by some certificate holders and governments, among others as well as through several motions proposed for th 2021-2022 General Assembly on the topic. 

But first, what is Motion 65?
In 2014, Motion 65 on Intact Forest Landscapes (IFL) was approved at the FSC General Assembly in 2014 to ‘ensure the implementation of Principle 9 and the protection of intact forest landscapes'. The motion required the protection of 80% of the IFL area inside FSC certified management units (MU) until more specific rules had been included in the applicable National Forest Stewardship Standards.

What’s happened with IFLs since 2014?

• 2014: Motion 65/2014 demands the protection of the vast majority of IFLs in FSC certified operations passed by the international membership. Motion 07/2014 requires changes to the P&C, specifically the inclusion of IFLs, referred to as HCV2, to principle 9.
   
• 2017:  Motion 34/2017 requires an assessment of the impact of Motion 65, considering economic, social and environmental impacts in the short and long term. The purpose is to help avoid unintended consequences as FSC moves to implement protections for Intact Forest Landscapes in forest management standards. Motion 71/2017 requires that FSC supports Indigenous Cultural Landscapes and respects Free, Prior and Informed Consent in IFLs.
   
• 2018: FSC International publishes the new version of the International Generic Indicators allowing standard development groups to adapt the rule and present improved maps of IFLs.
   
• 2019: FSC International Board of Directors makes the decision allowing protection levels to be at least above 50% where there is evidence that the 80% threshold is not achieving the greatest conservation gains, for example due to an increased risk under more stringent FSC protection rules of losing the IFL status, associated HCVs and forest resources.
   
• 2021: IFL impact assessments (Motion 34/2017) show 2 main conclusions:

1. The IFL areas inside FSC certified MUs amounted to between 0,6 and 7% of the total IFL area in the landscapes. This small percentage would not really ensure the protection of IFL at landscape and country level, thus only marginally contributing to achieving the intent of Motion 65/2014.
    
2. The economic viability of certification would be threatened at least in a medium to long-term perspective by rules for IFL protection inside FMUs as required under M65.

Does the solution lie in landscape level engagement?
In an effort to create a basis for further discussion in FSC about these concerns and dilemmas, FSC initiated in 2021 a partnership with a consortium of researchers to develop a science-based approach to forests with special environmental and social value: Focus Forests. FSC Focus Forests project is working to host constructive dialogue to discuss the concerns around IFLs on a landscape level and further and agree upon an approach for FSC while facilitating a process to help understand whether and how certification inside Focus Forests can be reconciled with FSC’s commitments to combat climate change and conserve and restore forest biodiversity.

FSC General Assembly 2022 – Big discussions & big motions
Several motions based on a landscape approach have been submitted with different ideas to revise the current definitions, identifications, and rules around IFLs. As well as an alternative solution to develop an approach that provides incentives and benefits for the protection of HCV2 including IFLs and Indigenous Cultural Landscapes (ICL). With such strong concerns where do we go from here? 

With the implementation of motion 2014/65 still ongoing, IFLs will play a large part at this year’s general assembly. Four motions have been submitted in relation to IFLs for the FSC 2022 General Assembly  (M18, 19, 23, 46).

Regardless of the results, protecting the world’s IFLs will require finding a balance between the ecological focus of the motions, the rights and interests of Indigenous Peoples, the economic viability of the forest industry, and the concerns of interested and affected communities and stakeholders.