Facet WWF AFR100 Congo Basin Forest landscape Restoration

Facet Power and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Cameroon are collaborating to advance WWF Cameroon's AFR100 goal of restoring 3 million hectares of degraded soils and forest landscapes in the Congo Rainforest Basin, Cameroon.  Ten Facet Complete Climate Solution & Energy projects are planned for Facet's WWF Cameroon AFR100 Congo Basin Forest Landscape Restoration EcoSystem. After successful demonstration, Facet and WWF intend to replicate this impactful collaboration across eight additional AFR100 countries, targeting WWF's overall program goal of restoring 100 million hectares.

AFR100 (the African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative): is a country-led effort to bring 100 million hectares of land in Africa into restoration by 2030.  34 countries have committed 129 million hectares.

Cameroon: is home to 22 million hectares of forests (46% of the total country area) including tropical rainforests, high altitude forests rich in endemic species, low altitude forests rich in mammal species, and transitional areas of rainforest to savanna and savanna.   

Recognized for the abundance and diversity of its natural capital, Cameroon hosts two world heritage sites and ranks 4th in plant diversity and 5th in animal diversity in Africa.  

Facet and WWF Cameroon's joint initiative supports National Development Strategy of Cameroon or 2030; the Government of the Republic of Cameroon's (i) commitment to restore over 12 million hectares of degraded landscapes under the Bonn Challenge and AFR100 platforms; and (ii) world's first national biochar carbon removal strategy presented at COP26 to help fight climate change by establishing 50 biochar production plants to remove 250,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by 2030; and Rural Electrification Plan among other important policy goals.

Facet's Role: Under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Facet Power will develop industrial-scale commercial grade biochar and bioenergy systems to recycle certified sustainable forest and agricultural waste into high-quality biochar for WWF Cameroon's restoration work and small holder regenerative agriculture programs, carbon-negative electricity to power rural communities, permanent carbon dioxide removal (CDR), and nanocarbon advanced materials. 

Stopping the Cycle of Deforestation: Protection of intact forest landscapes goes hand in hand with restoration. Facet's Community Benefit Program tackles a root cause of deforestation by addressing the conversion of forests to smallholder and subsistence farming. Forest soils are not suited to supporting agriculture over the long-term, requiring smallholders and subsistence farms to clear new farming areas every few years. This cycle is responsible for 90% of deforestation in the Congo Basin.  Facet's biochar is not just high-quality permanent CDR, it's a powerful tool for rejuvenating degraded soil health, improving WWF forest restoration success rates, and protecting biodiversity, watersheds, and ecosystem services. By providing biochar, which can increase yields up to 200% and income up to 120%, regenerative agricultural technical support, and facilitating carbon credit revenue for small holder and subsistence farmers establishing plots outside of forests, Facet helps reduce deforestation. In turn, increased yield and income from biochar amended soils frees time spent farming, predominantly the work of women, for other pursuits including entrepreneurship.  

Project Goals:  Forest Landscape Restoration, Food & Water Security, Climate Adaptation, Distributed Electrification, Sustainable Development, Climate Smart Agriculture, Community Resilience, No Deforestation, Soil Health, Circular Bioeconomy, Facet Climate Corps job development, 15 of 17 UN SDGs.

Empowering Climate-Resilient Communities: Healthy working forests foster climate-resilient communities by providing essential ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration, water regulation, and biodiversity conservation. They help regulate local temperatures and mitigate climate change impacts, creating stable environments for communities to thrive. Additionally, forest economies drive job creation and local economic growth, offering diverse employment opportunities and promoting skills development and innovation. Sustainably managed forests also serve as hubs for sustainable development, supporting new businesses, technologies, and practices that advance a low-carbon economy and a resilient future.

• Ecosystem Services: Forests deliver essential services, including carbon sequestration, water regulation, and biodiversity conservation, which collectively enhance environmental resilience and stability.
• Temperature Regulation: Through their natural cooling effects, forests help regulate local temperatures, alleviating the impact of urban heat islands and creating more livable conditions for surrounding communities.
• Job Creation and Economic Growth: A sustainable circular forestry sector offers a range of employment opportunities, from skilled to unskilled labor, contributing to economic expansion, stability, and the well-being of local communities.
• Small Holders: By empowering smallholders with regenerative practices and sustainable carbon management, we create economic opportunities that enhance livelihoods and promote ecological balance. Integrating small-scale producers into sustainable supply chains fosters resilient communities and drives environmentally conscious growth.
• Innovation Hub:   Circular working forests serve as dynamic incubators for cutting-edge technologies and sustainable solutions, catalyzing innovation in bioenergy, bioproducts, and conservation, while promoting environmental entrepreneurship.
• Building a Sustainable Future These objectives are the foundation for a resilient future in Sub-Saharan Africa's forestry and agricultural sectors, aligning economic vitality with environmental stewardship. By empowering local communities and promoting sustainable resource management, we aim to cultivate a thriving forestry sector that drives positive impacts on environmental health, local economies, climate, and community prosperity.

Join us on this transformative journey toward a sustainable, equitable, and resilient future, where Sub-Saharan forests lead in innovation, economic growth, and community well-being. Together, let's ensure our forests inspire and enrich the lives of future generations, both locally and globally