Climate Smart Forest Economy Program
Building sustainable forest industries in developing countries
The Trafigura Foundation is supporting an initiative to advance the use of bio-based construction materials, foster sustainable development, and counter deforestation and forest degradation.
The challenge
Many communities in the Global South lack the resources and incentives to manage and restore forests and adapt them to the impacts of climate change. Revenue from the sale of sustainable forests products could fund the maintenance of resilient forests and the many benefits that they provide
The solution
The Climate Smart Forest Economy Program helps communities build vibrant and sustainable forest product value chains within and across developing countries.
The programme brings together stakeholders including local businesses, community members, financial leaders and policymakers to identify and implement solutions that unlock the potential of forest products, for instance to meet demand for construction materials and housing for growing populations.
The emphasis is on enabling local and regional actors to seize opportunities and drive change that reflects circumstances on the ground so that solutions and investments generate prosperity and protect the environment sustainably.
Partnership impact
With support from the Foundation until 2027, the programme will provide convening, technical and financial support to consolidate a growing coalition of forest-related organizations in East Africa. Lessons learned from this pilot effort will also guide the establishment of new coalitions in three other regions.
The programme’s targets include:
- A 40% increase in revenue for businesses affiliated with the project through sales into the forest product value chain
- A 40% increase in forest area under climate-resilient management
- A 40% increase in the number of forest product businesses that have adopted climate-resilient business models
Visit the programme’s website
