A new impact report released by WWF highlights how private sector engagement through the Forests Forward programme is contributing to the conservation of over 4 million hectares of forest globally, including key landscapes in the Congo Basin, one of the world’s richest regions in biodiversity and carbon storage.

Launched in 2021, Forests Forward is WWF’s flagship programme for corporate engagement in forest conservation. It brings together 26 companies from nine sectors, including, Interholco AG, IKEA, and HP Inc., all committed to improving forest management, promoting responsible sourcing, and investing in conservation efforts.

In the Congo Basin — the world’s second-largest tropical rainforest — companies like Interholco are working alongside WWF to show that sustainable forest management can protect biodiversity while also improving the livelihoods of local communities.

“We want to be leaders in responsible forest management in the Congo Basin,” said Tom van Loon, Sustainability Director at Interholco AG. “Together with WWF, we demonstrate that healthy forests can support both nature and people.”

Across the programme’s landscapes, 1.3 million hectares are under active conservation efforts, while an additional 2.7 million hectares are being managed more sustainably by participating companies. These actions are critical in the face of record tropical forest loss, which threatens essential ecosystem services and exacerbates both the climate and biodiversity crises.

“Forests are essential not only for Africa but for the entire planet,” said Kirsten Schuijt, Director General of WWF International. “Our Forests Forward partners are proving that businesses can be a force for nature — protecting forests while generating long-term value for people and economies.”

With the 2030 deadlines for global nature and climate goals fast approaching, the report calls for greater private sector action to bridge funding gaps and reverse forest loss. In the Congo Basin and beyond, WWF continues to partner with companies committed to locally grounded, ecologically sustainable solutions — demonstrating that forest conservation is not only good for the planet but also a smart, long-term business strategy.

For more information contact:
Fidelis Pegue Manga
Communications Manager Congo Basin
Email: [email protected]