asc impact

Overview

asc impact is a sustainable land use project in Gamboma, Republic of the Congo, which converts degraded savanna into productive timber plantations, large-scale agriculture, and protected conservation zones. The project combines locally produced timber, corn, and soy, which generates multiple revenue streams while preserving existing forests, improving food security, and boosting local employment.

The integrated model supplies legally sourced wood to supplant illegal logging, strengthens rural livelihoods through agricultural development, and protects existing high-carbon ecosystems through dedicated conservation areas, all supported by long-term government land leases and a Special Economic Zone designation. The project also aims to generate revenue through verified carbon credits.

The Challenge

The Republic of the Congo faces environmental pressures from slash-and-burn farming, uncontrolled fires, and illegal logging, despite having one of Africa’s highest forest covers and low deforestation rates. These practices degrade ecosystems and limit sustainable land productivity.

The country also imports 80% of its food despite its vast agricultural potential, while communities face limited formal employment opportunities outside of the fossil fuel sector—particularly for women and youth—and ongoing pressure on natural forests from unsustainable wood sourcing for local markets.

Canopy Trust Involvement – Technical Assistance

Canopy Trust’s technical assistance package focuses on two ESIA follow-up frameworks to strengthen the project’s environmental and social safeguards:

• The first enhances biodiversity conservation planning and monitoring across production and set-aside areas.
• The second develops social livelihood and land access frameworks, ensuring stakeholder alignment, targeted employment programs for women and youth, and community infrastructure commitments that support long-term local benefits.

Our Target Impact

The project builds on government support for reforestation and sustainable land management to create a model that balances commercial forestry, agriculture, and conservation. It also responds to rising demand for legally sourced timber and local food production while reducing pressure on natural forests.