Breakthrough study finds 2.7 times more gorillas in FSC-certified forests including Interholco’s (2/2)

27.09.2024. Meticulously documenting individual animal counts and strategically positioning camera traps, PhD researcher Joeri Zwerts found that FSC-certified concessions have a significantly higher population of large and threatened mammals - 2.7 times more mammals over 100 kg, such as gorillas and forest elephants, and 2.5 times more mammals weighing 30-100 kg, such as leopards and chimps - than non-FSC-certified forest concessions.

Breakthrough study finds 2.7 times more animals in FSC-certified forests including Interholco’s (1/2)

24.09.2024. FSC-certified forests host 2.7 times more gorillas and elephants than non-certified ones. No, it is not wishful thinking, but the outcome of four years of study in the natural tropical forests of Gabon and the Republic of Congo, including in Interholco’s Ngombé forest concession. Comparing animal presence with the aid of harmless camera traps, Joeri Zwerts, PhD researcher at the University of Utrecht, made a discovery that earned him the cover of Nature magazine.

Who cares wins: Interholco leads ESG transparency rating for timber and pulp companies

28.08.2024.  The future we want has wood at its core and forests stand at the centre. Our no. 1 ranking in the only ESG transparency assessment for tropical timber and pulp companies is tell-tale: https://www.spott.org/timber-pulp/ Because we care, ‘Sustainable’ rhymes with ‘Accountable’. Follow us through!

Interholco calls for building tomorrow with sustainable wood at Macao Forum

01.12.2023. Wood is a crucially important material for ensuring a sustainable future. This is the opinion of 700 key players in the global timber industry, including representatives of governments, companies, international organisations and research bodies, who gathered at the Global Legal and Sustainable Timber Forum (GLSTF) in Macao SAR, China, on 21–22 November 2023.

Interholco drives ESG transparency

16.08.2023. Climate and biodiversity are closely intertwined. Climate change is one of the main drivers of biodiversity loss, while ecosystem destruction contrasts nature’s ability to regulate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, precipitating climate change. Just as supply chains must become deforestation-free by 2025 if the Paris Agreement climate goals are to be met, ZSL’s SPOTT (Sustainability Policy Transparency Toolkit) found that there is much the private sector can do. 

INTERHOLCO’s transparent durability ‘Best in the World’ for Timber and Forest Management

01.09.2022. We are honoured to announce that INTERHOLCO's 60 Years Shaping The Future a report which transparently monitors the company’s sustainability monitoring, has been awarded 'Best in the World' by the Hallbars Awards 2022 jury in the category of 'Timber and Forest Management'.

SPOTT ESG transparency assessment and INTERHOLCO

08.08.2022. This year, INTERHOLCO ranks first in SPOTT’s ESG transparency assessment of 100 timber companies in the tropics. Let’s take a closer look. When it comes to tropical forests, the shortest distance from A to B is, ESG.

The best kept secret in INTERHOLCO's Sustainability report 2022

08.07.2022. Just as 2022 marks INTERHOLCO’s 60^th anniversary, the company launches its latest Sustainability Report. ‘Our wood products are the fruit of a people alliance,’ says Ulrich Grauert, INTERHOLCO CEO. ‘With this publication, we want even people sitting miles away from where we harvest and process our wood to see what our  ‘Made in Africa’ stands for.’  

Central African Forests Forever, the book that grows like a tree, downloadable for free in English, French and Chinese

29.11.2021. Dutch writer Meindert Brouwer has reviewed and expanded his 'Central African Forests Forever', an all-round must-read on Congo Basin natural tropical forests. The book comprises 17 new chapters about opportunities and solutions for their conservation and sustainable use.

INTERHOLCO’s Alliance Culture ‘Best in the World’ for Timber

07.10.2021. We are honoured that Interholco's ALLIANCE CULTURE Sustainability Report has been selected as Best in the World for Timber and Forest Management in the framework of the Hallbars Awards 2021, the most prestigious international recognition for sustainability awards.

INTERHOLCO first in SPOTT-on assessment of forest solutions for people and planet

24.06.2021. Deforestation and forest degradation are non-negotiables: millions of us depend on how far we are ready to go, to protect our forests i.e. our climate, our health, our food, our water, not to mention some of the world’s most extraordinary plants and animals. 

Sustainable Hardwood – Made in Africa, good for forest, people and planet

05.06.2021. A forest is more than a question of trees. People live in and from it, shaping their survival, identity and beliefs around it. At the same time, a forest is home to hundreds of species of animals and trees; it feeds water basins, stocks carbon and regulates rain regimes which affect far away countries.

Friends of the forest 2/2

21.05.2021. As agreed with the Congolese state, owner of the parks as well as of the Ngombé forest, INTERHOLCO is required to secure the area against unauthorised settlement, illegal harvesting, poaching, bushmeat trade and irreversible change.

Friends of the Forest 1/2

19.04.2021. “Conservation is only possible if we have a good relationship with the communities.”José Blanchard BOKANDZA could not have made his approach clearer: “The communities are the first custodians of the forest. Because they are the ones who depend on it in their daily life.”

Drumming up inspiration for positive change

08.02.2021. With New Year just weeks away, many are drumming up inspiration to let what matters come to the forefront. What are we most proud of? INTERHOLCO's performance in 2020, ranked number 1 in the world by SPOTT in the field of tropical forestry. However, the task remains still very big.

Diverse, interdependent, together: an ALLIANCE to safeguard the future of African natural forests

15.10.2020. To relate to a forest, is to relate to a country and its inhabitants. To the people, with their culture. Their dreams and aspirations, as much as their shortcomings and concerns. Relationships never stop being a work in progress. Dealing with a forest is no exception. We can become more intelligent and wiser, and over time, more fertile, if we work with others to reinvent the way of our future.

Working together for forests and people: the Congolese Minister of Tourism and Environment, Ms. Arlette Soudan-Nonault visits IFO

03.08.2020. The Minister of Tourism and Environment, Ms. Arlette Soudan-Nonault, visited the Industrie Forestière de Ouesso (IFO) in the Sangha Department, in the North of the Republic of Congo on August 3^rd, 2020.

INTERHOLCO has pride of place in SPOTT’s State of Transparency 2020, leading 100 timber and pulp and paper companies worldwide

27.07.2020. Because our products give access to life-changing benefits to a community of 10’000 people in one of Congo’s most landlocked regions. Because our resources are vitally important living wonders.  Because our forest protection means that anything, from a mushroom to an elephant, should thrive in their natural habitat.  We know, and care about, forests. And it shows.

Rescuing dwarf crocodiles from the clutches of poachers

25.05.2020. Behind his blue mask, the eco-guard is smiling: lying in the back of his pick-up under the scorching sun, 40 dwarf crocodiles are about to be set free. Before being released back in the river Sangha, they need rehydrating with a water sprinkle. With their muzzle tied up, they are lucky to be still alive. ‘That could show that the young crocodiles, a partially protected species in Congo, were not just destined for slaughter on the local market of Ouesso but rather, smuggling,’ argues José Blanchard Bokandza.

INTERHOLCO’s production site speaks Chinese in the latest translation of Meindert Brouwer’s ‘Central African Forests Forever’

Engaged for climate, people and wildlife: INTERHOLCO ranks 1st in SPOTT’s 2019 assessment

31.07.2019.For the third year in a row, INTERHOLCO leads SPOTT’s assessment of timber companies with consistent engagement for the climate, people and wildlife.

#Sustainable #Hardwood #MadeinAfrica protects the forest

13.05.2019. Forests worldwide are a public good and forestry students often wonder how far private timber companies are prepared to go, to preserve and maintain natural forests. Mr. Ulrich Grauert, INTERHOLCO’s CEO, showed students worldwide how INTERHOLCO walks the talk, during a webinar hosted by the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) on 16 April 2019.

Introducing our contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

26.03.2019. Companies do play a critical role in helping achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and INTERHOLCO is no exception. In 2015, the United Nations introduced 17 Sustainable Development Goals. For the first time, governments agreed that the challenges international society faces, including those related to poverty, hunger, inequality, climate, environmental degradation, prosperity, peace and justice were interconnected and that each sector had a contribution to make.

Political, financial and economic strategies critical to fight deforestation

04.03.2019. Management of forests – especially natural tropical forests – is environmentally and socially superior, but economically inferior to any other land use which destroys the forest. In a world economy which is measuring viability almost exclusively on return on investment, this economic inferiority of managed forests is the key challenge which must be addressed and reversed.

Sustainable Hardwood – Made in Africa: the year in advance

17.01.2019. A change of heart is what tropical forests need. That is, if their unique biodiversity is to continue thriving; if precious services such as water cycle, rain regime and climate regulation are to be ensured for the planet and, if millions are to enjoy a peaceful life right where they live, i.e. in the natural forests of the Congo Basin - one of the world’s most precious wonders.

Gorilla-human cohabitation is key on World Gorilla Day

24.09.2018. On 24th September the world celebrates World Gorilla Day. Next time you take one of INTERHOLCO’s wood products, look at it as the result of careful selection and sustainable practices that are key in protecting gorilla in the wild, a glorious species with whom we share 98% of our DNA.

From know-how to show-how: Interholco leads SPOTT’s assessment of timber companies with higher transparency

31.07.2018. Interholco outperformed in SPOTT’s worldwide transparency assessment of timber companies for the second year in a row, with a score of 93.4%.

Singing against corruption

'As an artist, I told myself that I had to make my modest contribution for the good of the country. Aside from criticizing, it is necessary to bring solutions. That’s what really matters’.

‘Rufin’ Goleba Ossebi External Relations Officer, IFO

Interholco urges for Action Plan to support sustainable management in tropical natural forests

20.02.2018. Interholco CEO Ulrich Grauert addressed over 300 participants in the conference ‘Working across Sectors to Halt Deforestation and Increase Forest Area - from Aspiration to Action’.

Interholco ranks 1st in ESG assessment of timber, pulp and paper companies

10.11.2017. 'We are delighted to have done so well in SPOTT’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) assessment of timber, pulp and paper companies which values the engagement and efforts of our teams ,’ said Interholco CEO Ulrich Grauert.

Interholco launches its first Sustainability Report

09.10.2017.Sustainable hardwood specialist Interholco presents its first Sustainability Report: the data collected and analyzed cover the years 2014 to 2016.

A Way Forward For The Future of Central African Forests

31.05.2017.Over 140 participants attended a conference on The future of Central African Forest and its people in The Hague, to share lessons learned and look for a way forward together with representatives of the Dutch government, social and environmental NGOs, academia and the private sector.