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We are an internationally recognised, independent organisation whose
unique expertise delivers sustainable natural resource management,
from policy, investment and procurement, to production on the ground.

High Conservation Values (HCVs) and Conservation

Proforest has extensive experience with High Conservation Values. We have worked on national interpretations of HCVs as well as HCV assessments for specific areas and companies, and have a track record of training and capacity building to support conservation. See below for an overview of some of the work we have done.

  • Development of the Global HCVF Toolkit and national HCV interpretations

    WWF-IKEA partnership and other partners | 2001 ongoing

    The High Conservation Value Forest (HCVF) toolkit was the first comprehensive guidance on the HCV concept. It has been widely adopted by NGOs, companies, auditors and other stakeholders as the template for identifying, managing and monitoring HCVs and as the basis for national HCV interpretations. Read more

  • The High Conservation Value (HCV) Resource Network

    HCV Resource Network | 2006 ongoing

    The HCV Resource Network is a global initiative involving organisations as diverse as Greenpeace, FSC and the World Bank, which aims to contribute to the maintenance and enhancement of critical social and environmental values of forests and other ecosystems through the use of the High Conservation Value approach. Since its inception in 2006, Proforest has been acting as the Network’s secretariat. Read more

  • HCV training for The Nature Conservancy Brazil

    The Nature Conservancy (TNC) | 2011

    The Nature Conservancy (TNC) Brazil ran a one week course for its Atlantic Forest and Central Savannas Conservation Program Team and partners on 'Sustainability and Certification of Agricultural Commodities'. Within this course, Proforest delivered a training day on High Conservation Values. Read more

  • HCV assessment for new palm oil plantation

    For Olam Palm Gabon | 2010 to 2011

    Olam International is one of the world’s largest agricultural processors and supply chain managers. Its subisdiary, Olam Palm, has committed to developing Olam’s oil palm business in full compliance with the Round Table on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certification system. Maintaining biological and social High Conservation Values (HCVs) is a key requirement of any new planting under the RSPO system, and Proforest was tasked with carrying out HCV assessments for Olam Palm’s first three concessions in Gabon. Read more

  • High Conservation Value Assessment for JCM Ghana

    For John Bitar Company Ltd (JCM) | 2010

    Field identification and development of management recommendations for the maintenance and monitoring of HCVs in the concessions of John Bitar. Read more

  • High Conservation Value Training for GFTN managers

    GFTN | 2010

    A 3 day classroom and field based training programme for managers of WWF GFTN national offices across the world. Read more

  • REDD+ co-benefits and the HCV concept

    Supported by WWF and Norad | 2010

    An assessment of co-benefits of REDD+ and opportunities for including carbon needs into the HCV concept. Read more

  • EU and GFTN project for legal and sustainable forest management in Africa and Asia

    With GFTN for the EC | 2005 to 2010

    In 2005 WWF's Global Forest and Trade Network (GFTN) received funding for a period of 5 years to assist developing countries to improve governance of their forest resources. Proforest has executed several parts of this project, including the production of training material and practical guides. Read more

  • FSC guide on biodiversity management for smallholders

    FSC | 2009

    Production of a guide intended to help managers and owners of small-scale and low intensity forest operations maintain or implement the management of biodiversity and High Conservation Values (HCVs) within their forests. Read more

  • HCV assessments for biofuel feedstock plantations

    With GTZ | 2008 to 2009

    Proforest, in collaboration with GTZ, conducted field studies in Mozambique and Thailand over the summer of 2008 to investigate how biofuel feedstock plantations can be planned and managed to comply with biodiversity and High Conservation Value (HCV) requirements contained in RSPO and other sustainability standards. Read more

  • Yayasan Sabah HCVF assessments

    Yayasan Sabah | 2006

    Read more

  • HCVF assessments of Teso Nilo and the Kampar Peninsula

    For APRIL | Asia: Southern and South-Eastern | 2005 to 2006

    Read more

  • Improved Certification Schemes for Sustainable Tropical Forest Management

    GEF-World Bank | 2005 to 2006

    Read more

  • Assessment of the social HCVs in Romania

    With Darwin Initiative Collaboration (Buckhinghamshire Chilterns University College) | Europe | 2006

    Read more