The sustainability dimension of our work is populated with a broad range of actors, with whom we engage, partner and exchange: our employees, local people, and indigenous communities, community leaders, government representatives, NGOs, international organizations, universities, research institutes, importers, suppliers, and third-party providers, all the way to end-consumers.
They say about us
The jury’s motivation was based on the positive vision of how to secure nature in the tropical forest while at the same time providing the local people with a long-term, economic perspective.
Economic Chamber South
Agence française de développement (AFD)
Republic of Congo
In 2021, INTERHOLCO joined AFD’s approach to reconcile biodiversity conservation and socioeconomic development in Northern Congo working together with the Republic of Congo’s Ministry of Forest Economy, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), the French Agricultural Research Center for International Development (CIRAD) as well as local communities. That is the purpose of the Northern Congo Forest Landscape Project (PPFNC), which is being implemented in the Sangha and Likouala departments and the northern part of the Cuvette-Ouest department.
Throughout 2023, several meetings were held on site, including with the Congo Minister of Forest Economy Rosalie Matondo to evaluate progress, leading to the signature of 14 partnership agreements with the project beneficiaries, including our subsidiary IFO managing the Ngombé Forest Management Unit, as reported on by TEREA.
USA
African Parks is a non-profit conservation organisation that manages Odzala-Kokoua national park, in partnership with the government and local communities.
Together we train new eco-guards and offer refresher trainings to the rangers operating in our forest concession.
Association Technique Internationale des Bois Tropicaux
France
Together we:
shape marketing initiatives for tropical timber
lead legality-related initiatives
push for comprehensive anti-corruption and anti-bribery standards
promote and lead the industry-wide discussion on forest conservation and protection
facilitate the discussion and promote comprehensive implementation of the concept of Intact Forest Landscapes (IFL)
Switzerland
Together with the Basel Institute on Governance we work on, implement and verify a strict Anti-Corruption and Anti-Bribery policy
Business Coalition for Good Governance (BCGG)
Cameroon
Together with BCGG we worked on implementing a strict Anti-Corruption and Anti-Bribery policy.
Confédération africaine des travailleurs croyants (CATC)
Confédération des Syndicats Libres Autonomes du Congo (COSYLAC)
Confédération syndicale congolaise (CSC)
Confédération syndicale des travailleurs du Congo (CSTC)
Republic of Congo
The trade unions and employee representatives have monthly meetings with senior management to express concerns and jointly find solutions
Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP)
Cameroon
We have joined 130 partner countries and organizations working together to promote responsible resource management, improved living conditions and biodiversity protection in the Congo Basin.
Cercle des droits de l'Homme et de développement (CDHD)
Republic of Congo
We hired CDHD Director, Mr Roch Nzobo, to work on and, effectively implement, the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC)
Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR)
Indonesia
CIFOR provided international expert advice in our Working Group on Forest Fires in Open Marantaceae Forests
We have collaborated on a CIFOR-WWF study on the social impacts of FSC certification in Congo Basin countries
Centre de coopération internationale en recherche agronomique pour le développement (CIRAD)
France
CIRAD is the scientific institute we have chosen as our reference for the technical properties of the African timber species that we harvest, process and market. These properties are listed and regularly updated in the Tropical Timber Atlas, as well as on Tropix
CIRAD provided international expert advice in our Working Group on Forest Fires in Open Marantaceae Forests
The Netherlands
With ControlUnion Certifications we are certified for the FSC® and PEFC chain of custody requirements enabling us to maintain the chain of custody to our clients when selling certified products. ControlUnion’s Timber Legality Verification (TLV) certificate assures us we are applying a solid due diligence approach to avoid sourcing illegally harvested timber based on EUTR, EUDR and Lacey Act requirements.
France
Together with other FSC certified companies, Interholco proudly supports 'Fair and Precious', a campaign and a brand based on 10 engagements, aiming to raise awareness on the wide range of benefits of tropical wood that is responsibly produced.
Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®)
Germany
Our dual FSC® Forest Management and Ecosystem Services Certification* means we must meet strict requirements against conversion, forest degradation and any human-driven changes that permanently alter natural forest cover. These include upholding human rights, maintaining or enhancing social, cultural and environmental High Conservation Values and preventing deforestation and degradation. It also means that the forest is free of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). FSC standards uphold Indigenous Peoples’ rights to the land and require Free, Prior, and Informed Consent for management decisions.
Independent, peer-reviewed studies confirm that FSC-certified forests support greater plant and mammal diversity than uncertified, harvested forests.
Our FSC® Chain of Custody Certification** means that INTERHOLCO meets strict requirements for workers’ rights throughout our supply chain for certified products. We do not use child or forced labour, do not discriminate; and respect and uphold the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining.
*Industrie Forestière de Ouesso FSC-C122325 (FM/CoC); FSC-C123513 (CoC) **Interholco FSC-C022952 (CoC)
IDH The sustainable trade initiative
The Netherlands
With IDH funding, we conducted a Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM)* project and provided data for a Life-Cycle Assessment on tropical timber – Azobé
*SWM as defined by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and referenced by FAO of the United Nations
German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv)
Germany
A PhD researcher from iDiv stayed in our production site at IFO in order to conduct research (now published and available online) into a hunter self-monitoring scheme, to test whether it could be used to accurately monitor the state of game species populations and to support sustainable hunting.
The Netherlands
Dutch writer Meindert Brouwer visited IFO in February 2016, to see with his own eyes how the population benefits from our presence. He reports on the experience in this chapter of acclaimed book 'Central African Forests Forever' which is freely available online in Chinese, English and French.
Projet pour la gestion des écosystèmes périphériques au Parc National Odzala-Kokoua (PROGEPP)
Projet pour la gestion des écosystèmes périphériques au Parc National Odzala-Kokoua (PROGEPP)
Republic of Congo
In the framework of PROGEPP (Projet pour la gestion des écosystèmes périphériques au Parc National Odzala-Kokoua, i.e. Project for the management of ecosystems neighbouring the National Odzala-Kokoua Park), we work together with the Ministry of Forest Economy of the Republic of Congo and WCS to protect the natural tropical forest we manage together with its wildlife.
As part of the PROGEPP project, confiscated parrots, a much sought-after source of revenue on illegal markets, are transferred to quarantine facilities built by IFO. WCS veterinarians analyse blood samples and treat diseases. In 2014 alone the number of successfully treated parrots released in the wild exceeded 200
Multi-stakeholder platform
UK
The Natural Capital Coalition is a unique global multi-stakeholder platform bringing together leading initiatives and organizations to harmonise approaches to natural capital. We conducted a case study based on the Natural Capital Protocol to estimate the value, opportunity cost and environmental, social and economic benefits of Sustainable Forest Management in the Congo Basin, as opposed to other land-uses. Our assessment will guide our future monitoring indicators which are integrated in business decision-making.
Pan-African Forest Certification
Republic of Congo
'PAFC is set to help promote sustainable forest management (SFM),* making it more pragmatic and practical, thanks to its development respecting the local context' explains Mr. Brice Séverin Pongui, Chairman of PAFC-Congo. Developed together with national and international experts and NGOs in the Republic of Congo, the regional PAFC system which had substituted the national systems once in place in Gabon and Cameroon is the first for Congo.
In 2024, INTERHOLCO's subsidiary IFO (Industrie Forestière de Ouesso) acquired PAFC forest management certification, valid to date.
*SFM in the definition adopted by the Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC)
Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC)
Switzerland
PEFC is an international non-profit, non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) through independent third-party certification. In 2024, we acquired PEFC's Congo Basin standard also known as Pan-African Forest Certification (PAFC) that we took an active role in developing in a concerted effort with a wide range of diverse stakeholders. To learn more, click on the corresponding “PAFC” entry available on this page.
*SFM in the definition adopted by the Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC)
European Coalition for Sustainable Tropical Timber (STTC)
The Netherlands
We work with the European Sustainable Tropical Timber Coalition (STTC) on promoting sustainable tropical timber on the European market.
Switzerland
swisspeace developed together with us a Conflict Sensitivity Manual, to help us avoid social challenges before they escalate to conflict.
Thomas Weidenbach,
Germany
Thomas Weidenbach
Germany
In 2011, independent journalist, film director and former NGO activist Thomas Weidenbach set out on a journey to the North of the Republic of Congo. He filmed ‘Paradise Preserved: Congo – Protecting the Gorilla Forests’, an ARTE-produced documentary focusing on responsible forest practices implemented by FSC-certified companies, including IFO.
In October 2019, the film won Germany’s Nature Film Prize. We acquired the rights to broadcast the film on the 'They say about us' page of our website..
Gembloux Agro-Bio-Tech (Université de Liège)
Belgium
The Gembloux Agro-Bio-Tech (University of Liège) provided international expert advice in our Working Group on Forest Fires in Open Marantaceae Forests
USA
The University of Maryland provided international expert advice in our Working Group on Forest Fires in Open Marantaceae Forests
Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
USA
WCS conducted a comprehensive survey on wildlife conservation to helps us implement necessary safeguards and conservation measures
WCS provided international expert advice in our Working Group on Forest Fires in Open Marantaceae Forests
World Resources Institute (WRI)
USA
WRI provided international expert advice in our Working Group on Forest Fires in Open Marantaceae Forests
World Wild Fund for Nature (WWF)
Switzerland
We are a proud participant in ‘Forests Forward’, WWF´s performance-driven impact programme that catalyzes actions to address global forest threats. This includes biodiversity protection, exploring ecosystem services maintenance ensuring respect for the rights and needs of Indigenous People and Local Communities (IPLCs) within our concession in the Republic of Congo, as well as working to reduce poaching and agricultural encroachment and improving local communities' livelihoods.
We have collaborated on a CIFOR-WWF study on the social impacts of FSC certification in Congo Basin countries
WWF provided international expert advice in our Working Group on Forest Fires in Open Marantaceae Forests