Avenues for voluntary commitment discussed within multi-stakeholder platforms, based on a scientific diagnosis
3,999 species assessed
Of which 128 endemic
537 endangered species
including 110 endemic according to the IUCN Red List (2021-2)
MOST IMPORTANT GLOBAL THREATS :
(source: IUCN Red List 2021-2)
The Republic of Guinea comprises four natural regions with distinct characteristics. Basse Guinée, or Maritime Guinea, Moyenne Guinée, made up of mountain ranges, Haute Guinée, which includes the upper Niger River basin and its main tributaries, and Guinée Forestière, in the southeast. The country enjoys a tropical climate, with two alternating seasons (dry and rainy) whose duration varies from region to region. With a dense hydrographic network of over 1,100 rivers in 23 river basins, including 14 international ones, Guinea is also known as the "West African water tower".
Guinea is home to numerous terrestrial ecosystems, including mountains, dense rainforests and dense dry forests, which are rich in biodiversity but fragile, as well as savannahs, forest plantations and agrosystems. Guinea also offers prime shelters for a biodiversity that is unique in West Africa, notably in its dense rainforest relics classified as high biodiversity zones (hotspot). A victim of bush fires and land clearing, Guinea's dense dry forest - which covers the northern half of Guinea with the exception of Fouta-Djalon - undoubtedly contains the country's richest mammalian fauna, with animals such as lions, panthers, antelopes, hinds, agoutis, hares and more...
Illegal harvesting and unsustainable exploitation of resources in general, and unsustainable agricultural systems and practices (slash-and-burn) in particular, are creating major pressures on the environment. Water resources are threatened by pollution from urbanization, industry, waste production and agriculture, leading to reduced flows and silting of river beds. Uncontrolled exploitation of forests and mangroves is leading to a decline in plant cover and loss of biodiversity. Industrial and artisanal mining also contribute to air, soil and water pollution, degrading the Guinean landscape. Illiteracy, pressure from population growth and the political and economic context are other factors in the loss of biodiversity identified by the country.
In Guinea, stakeholders from each of the three selected sectors met at a national workshop to validate Diagnosis 2. This meeting enriched the report with contributions from sector representatives: Confédération nationale des organisations paysannes de Guinée (CNOPG), Fédération nationale des professionnels de la filière bois (FNPFB), Union nationale des orpailleurs de Guinée (UNOG).
For the mining sector, this workshop was complemented by a sectoral dialogue, which ended with an expression of interest in the voluntary commitment paths identified.
Finally, a closing workshop common to all three sectors brought together representatives from the public and private sectors (umbrella organizations), civil society organizations and the media.
Options chosen and scenarios discussed
Agriculture (fruit and vegetables)
Agriculture (fruit and vegetables) - Zoning update
- Regulation of the distribution and use of agricultural inputs, and farmers are trained in their rational use.
- Promotion of organic inputs
- Training in more respectful farming techniques (crop rotation, agroforestry, etc.).
- Sharing and disseminating local best practices
Forestry (timber)
Forestry (timber) - Updating zoning Taking legal action to protect all ZTIPs
- Active involvement of local communities in policy-setting and ecological activities
- Rational and legal logging practices. Rigorous control of wood harvesting and transport.
- Sustained silviculture and reforestation practices (in particular assisted natural regeneration - ANR).
Mining (artisanal gold)
Mining (artisanal gold) - As part of their CSR policy, mining companies commit to financing local biodiversity conservation initiatives
- The conditions for implementing ESMPs are clearly defined. ESMPs are of good quality, and implementation is effectively monitored.
- Gold miners use toxic products in a controlled manner. Mining companies ensure that there are no pollutant discharges (residues from washing or draining sludge, cyanide, mercury, etc.) into the environment.
Solutions identified by stakeholders
Find below the content of the voluntary commitment tracks obtained in Guinea.
Agriculture (fruit and vegetables) & forestry (timber)
The solutions identified by the stakeholders are identical to the engagement scenarios identified in DIAG2, as the latter incorporates feedback from stakeholders following the various consultations carried out (see Dialogue tab).
Mining (artisanal gold)
- A better structuring of gold panning actors into economic interest groups has been set up and is operational to ensure better control of the sector;
- Gold miners use alternative, sustainable solutions to extract and process gold;
- Income from artisanal gold mining makes an effective contribution to restoring the environment;
- A concerted, voluntary management plan is drawn up and shared with all stakeholders;
- Promotion of alternative practices that discourage the use of chemical substances;
- Stakeholders and their assets are protected thanks to the implementation and popularization of laws regulating all stakeholders.