We recently shared the exciting news of a major grant received by FSC Canada to explore how Canadian FSC-ceritified forests can contribute to global climate and biodiversity goals while unlocking the value of conservation through market mechanisms for forest managers. For example, the project will look at the Verified Impact program to assess whether it could be a future candidate for carbon market participation.
Part of this program of work is being completed in collaboration with longstanding FSC Canada member and partner, Ontario Nature, to understand how Canada can make better use of ‘Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures’, or OECMs. When areas of high ecological value, set aside through collaboration between forestry companies, Indigenous communities and others are recognized by relevant governments (provincial or federal here in Canada) as OECMs, they can be entered into a public database. This ensures their ongoing conservation and allows those areas to contribute to Canada’s commitment to conserve 30 percent of lands and inland waters by 2030.
However, each level of government has a different approach to OECM recognition and different conservation priorities, making progress sometimes slow. Ontario Nature shares more on how the current process in Ontario is leaving protected areas in limbo, and calls on the provincial government to prioritise recognition of OECMs, in this article.
“OECMs provide a unique opportunity for FSC-certified forests to support global conservation and demonstrate the commitment of forest managers to protecting ecologically and culturally significant areas,” said Vivian Peachey, Director of Climate and Landscape Solutions.
“The FSC certification process presents an incredible opportunity that is ready and waiting to support Canada’s protected places commitments. FSC-certified companies have voluntarily set aside about a million hectares of designated conservation lands. What a difference that could make,” says John Hassell, spokesperson for Ontario Nature.
We look forward to sharing more on this important program as we work towards reducing barriers to OECM recognition in Canada. To learn more about this project or OECMs, please contact Vivian Peachey, Director of Climate and Landscape Solutions, at v.peachey@ca.fsc.org.