The U.S. Forest Service (USFS), through the Silva Carbon Program, has launched the Central African Women's Initiative for Climate Action (WICA) program as part of its support to Congo Basin countries in their efforts to sustainably manage forest landscapes and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in January 2021. This initiative is funded by the U.S. Government, including the U.S. Department of State's Climate Fellow's program and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). It aims to strengthen the capacities of Central African women at the beginning of their careers in both national and international processes to combat climate change and, as a result, increase their involvement.
This training program focuses on national processes for measuring and reporting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions/removals to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and other carbon accounting frameworks. It also aims to foster the emergence of new experts in the sub-region by providing them with both knowledge and experience in the climate field.
Sodefor was invited on May 29, 2024 to participate in the closing and graduation ceremony of the WICA-Cohorts 1 and 2 program given its important role in sustainable forest management and climate change as well as respect for GENDER.
As part of this program, Sodefor also organized on May 30, 2024 a visit to Sodefor's transformation site in Kinshasa, where a detailed presentation was made to about 40 laureates and to the managers of the WICA program (USFS and USAID), on the implementation of the development plan in its concessions, the implementation of social clauses with local communities, the planning of forestry activities, etc.
The innovative link between these activities and the conservation activities of its sister companies, particularly KFBS (Kongo Forest Based Solutions) as well as the impact that these conservation activities could have on the development of new activities that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals defined by the United Nations, were the highlights of this meeting.
A Q&A session was held at the end of the presentation. The audience showed particular interest in the traceability of wood, the processing and conservation activities carried out by these companies.
These were very fruitful moments for both parties and Sodefor was honoured with the invitation to participate in this activity which contributed to the efforts of sustainable management of forest landscapes and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the Congo Basin.
