What we do/In action/DR Congo
De-risking a food and forestry investment in DR Congo
A feasibility study that separated land to farm from land to protect, and gave an impact investor the confidence to move forward.
The task
A global DFI commissioned a project screening and initial agronomic design for an integrated project: grain production for regional and local food security, forestry lots for fuel, and conservation set-asides for intact landscape features, including healthy savannah, remnant forests and riparian corridors.
Using geospatial analysis, soil sampling and on-the-ground validation exercises, 12Tree screened approximately 10,000 hectares of land to identify deforestation and native habitat conversion risks, areas of potential social and environmental conservation value, and crop suitability.
The outcome
- 01
Investor confidence
Using the findings from the feasibility study, the impact investor commissioned environmental and social impact assessments with the intention to invest, subject to their results.
- 02
Land to farm, land to protect
A land use plan that separates farmland from forest, savannah and areas set aside for conservation and restoration.
- 03
A farming system that works
An agroforestry rotation designed for food security, fuel production, soil restoration and commercial viability.
- 04
Safeguards from day one
The project was assessed using IFC Performance Standards, FPIC, HCV and HCSA and EU deforestation and grain import regulations to ensure environmental and social safeguarding.
In a forest landscape, the standards decide the deal before the agronomy does.
- Investors need the environmental and social work finished before they commit, not after.
- A plan that separates production from protection is what makes a forest-frontier project financeable.
- Under the EUDR, what is planted now has to stand up to deforestation-free sourcing later.
