The BaCaSi project: a pioneering partnership for sustainable development in the Republic of Congo
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Monday, December 12, 2022, Mediapart media and news from heaven relating to Greenpeace UK and Material Source published an investigation regarding our BaCaSi project in the Congo. We publish below the response we gave them prior to the publication of their articles.
The BaCaSi project is an ambitious partnership between TotalEnergies, Forêt Resources Management, a French company with its Congolese subsidiary Forest Neutral Congoand the Republic of Congo.
It is a pioneering collaboration based on advanced local agriculture and forestry for integrated development and climate action. Its objective is the sustainable development of an area of 55,000 hectares with the conservation of forests that are still present, the planting of trees in 38,000 hectares in 10 years as well as 2000 hectares of agroforestry managed by local populations.
The project will take place over 35 years, in the rhythm of agriculture and the growth of trees. This will benefit partners and the local population in the long term, while capturing CO2.
Work is currently underway to finalize the mapping of stakeholders and to propose to them, and implement, actions that will enable them to become co-beneficiaries of the project. In addition to mechanisms, such as access to land and agricultural equipment, the project will offer them to participate in the agroforestry value chain and benefit from the socio-economic development of the region.
TotalEnergies’ ambition is to implement international standards beyond local regulatory requirements.
The project area
The BaCaSi project area covers an area of 55,000 ha, located within the area of the National Afforestation Program (ProNar) launched by the Republic of Congo in 2011.
In 2014, ProNar agents conducted an initial field mission to demarcate an area of approximately 70,000 ha.
This first mission was followed in 2020 by a second mission with the Ministry of Forest Economy and the Ministry of Land Affairs and the Public Domain, to contact and define with the local authorities, the limits of the zone of 70 000 ha .
Following this mission, this zone – owned by the State – moved from the public domain of the State to the private domain of the State, with the aim of changing the possible use of these lands, and the lease of This is 70,000 hectares. in the FNC, by order of September 18, 2020 (published in the Congolese official journal on October 1, 2020), and in accordance with the State Domain Code. The place has not been requisitioned: it belongs to the State and remains its property.
The Congolese government organized the so-called “symbolic franc” ceremony in November 2021, to mark the launch of the project, including the evolution of the right of use and the vision of the socio-economic development of the area. The development of the BaCaSi project will take into account customary rights.
Congo Forest Company (CFC), the Congolese subsidiary of TotalEnergies, has sub-leased 55,000 ha of 70,000 ha to FNC for 35 years, with the aim of their sustainable management, including planting 38,000 hectares.
Partnership
TENBS, CFC, FNC and the Republic of Congo entered into a partnership agreement on March 12, 2021 for the implementation of the BaCaSi project. This agreement was approved by the Congolese Parliament and Senate and published in the official journal on March 24, 2022.
Stakeholders
In March 2022, TENBS and FNC began work to identify the potential impacts of the project and to mitigate any negative impacts that cannot be mitigated. They will make it possible to draw a complete map of the people affected by the project in the entire area (55,000 hectares) and define a remediation action plan including measures to restore livelihoods in accordance with international standards. The results will be finalized and made public in 2023.
In the project area, all cassava plantations are preserved and all existing stakeholders are recognized and given alternatives for future crop rotation, including plowed land or other methods as appropriate. remediation to be determined by them.
Included benefits
In the short and medium term, the project will generate significant social co-benefits through several mechanisms. This includes direct and indirect job creation in the region, including positions for team leaders, seasonal workers, engineers and technicians. Employment opportunities will allow strong participation of women and local population in operations.
The project will also encourage agricultural activities that have already been proven in areas near the Bateke plateau with the launch of 2,000 hectares of acacia/cassava agroforestry crops in collaboration with local farmers. Improving cassava productivity and enabling the production of sustainable alternative fuelwood for local consumption (replacing fuelwood from deforestation).
The project also aims to eventually supply Brazzaville and Kinshasa with plywood and sawn timber.
It also provides development funding dedicated to local communities to finance social projects in the fields of nutrition, health and education. The fund is currently being designed and will be launched in the coming months, according to the planned schedule.
About TotalEnergy
TotalEnergies is a global multi-energy energy production and supply company: oil and biofuels, natural gas and green gas, renewables and electricity. Its more than 100,000 employees are committed to making energy more affordable, cleaner, more reliable and accessible to as many people as possible. Present in more than 130 countries, TotalEnergies places sustainable development in all its dimensions at the center of its projects and operations to contribute to the well-being of populations.
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