Gabon Rainforest: Supplying Amsterdam’s Gates

Lock gates have always been really important in Amsterdam. The city only became habitable when they built a dam on the River Amstel to stop the salty water from the IJ. Today, Amsterdam has about 200 sets of lock gates, mostly made of wood. They’re becoming more crucial as sea levels rise. These well-made wooden gates come from a place far away from where the first lock in Amsterdam built in the 12th century. They come from the Congo Basin.

Tropical Forest Destruction

Tropical forest destruction is a significant worldwide issue. However, Aimé-Roger Malonda, the forest operations manager at Precious Woods in Gabon, argues that cutting down trees doesn’t necessarily equate to deforestation.

Despite being located over 8,000 kilometers away, the company supplying Amsterdam’s lock gates is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), considered the top standard for sustainable forest management. Here’s why the NGO has endorsed their practices.

In simpler terms, these items crafted from Azobé wood sourced from Gabon. This type of wood known for being very strong and resistant to water. Commonly used for things like ship decks and train tracks.

Gabon: A Positive Contributor in the Congo Basin

The Congo Basin hosts the world’s second-largest rainforest, trailing only the Amazon. It spans six Central African countries: the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, Gabon, and Equatorial Guinea.

This vast area encompasses approximately 3 million square kilometers of primary rainforest, which is the oldest and most biologically diverse type of rainforest, supporting abundant wildlife. Just one hectare of this rainforest contains twice as many native tree species as the entire United Kingdom. Collectively, the towering trees of the Congo Basin absorb 1.2 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide annually.

Gabon have Achieved Net-zero Emissions

Gabon stands out as one of the eight nations that have achieved net-zero emissions, as reported by the World Economic Forum. This achievement is primarily due to Gabon’s commitment to preserving its forests, which cover nearly 90% of its territory, enabling it to capture more carbon than it releases.

David Zakamdi, the director of sustainable management at Precious Woods, acknowledges Gabon’s dedication to forest preservation, noting that the country is outperforming its neighbors in this regard. In 2021, the Gabonese government made the decision to certify all forest concessions in Gabon to meet FSC standards, although not all concessions have been fully certified yet. However, Precious Woods serves as a compelling example of why pursuing such certifications is beneficial.

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