FSC approves Sierra Leone’s interim forest stewardship standard

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has approved Sierra Leone’s Interim Forest Stewardship Standard (IFSS), with the goal of strengthening responsible forest management and bringing the country’s timber and forest industries in line with international sustainability standards. The new standard was formally approved on October 2, 2025, and will go into effect on March 15, 2026, providing forest managers, companies, and communities with a clear, time-bound framework for sustainable sourcing and accountable management.
The IFSS is intended to be a useful tool for both public and private actors, providing independent verification that forestry operations adhere to global environmental and social safeguards. The standard’s implementation is expected to strengthen biodiversity protection across Sierra Leone’s diverse habitats, from coastal mangroves to inland rainforests, while also protecting the land rights of local and indigenous communities and promoting sustainable livelihoods based on responsibly traded forest products.
The IFSS’s adoption coincides with increased conservation efforts under the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change’s Protect Sierra Leone Programme, which was launched in early 2025.
The initiative contributes to the global “30×30” goal of conserving 30% of land and ocean by 2030. The IFSS serves as a complementary tool to translate policy commitments into verifiable on-the-ground practice. The initiative aligns with the global “30×30” goal of conserving 30% of land and ocean by 2030. The IFSS serves as a valuable tool for translating policy commitments into actionable steps on the ground. It is in line with national emission reduction targets, which are to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 10% by 2030 and 25% by 2050. The standard also addresses persistent forest loss, with 2.17 million hectares lost between 2001 and 2024.
Beyond conservation goals, the IFSS is intended to support a growing green economy by providing better, more secure jobs for locals and improving market access for responsibly produced forest goods. Independent IFSS certification should reassure buyers and investors that forest products are sourced without compromising biodiversity or community rights.
Patrick Epie, FSC coordinator for the Congo Basin and West Africa, described the endorsement as a significant step for Sierra Leone and the region, stating that it confirms the country’s commitment to sustainable forest governance. Sierra Leone, which has approximately 14.7% forest cover and extensive wooded areas, will now have better tools for managing its natural resources for current and future generations.