HCVF in Russia, Achievements & issues Tatiana Yanitskaya WWF Russia / Forest Program 1th of April, 2009

Achievements HCVF mapping Russian National FSC Standard containing HCVF interpretation is accredited Russia has conservation traditions that are rich and well-developed, like PA network

Russian input to HCVF Concept Mapping of the Intact forest landscapes was begun in Russia

The most significant HCVF mapping projects of Russian NGO HCVF mapping projects Intact Forest Landscapes Russian Far East Karelia Kirovskaya oblast

Russian Regions where HCVF concept is in real use Komi: virgin forests, regional normative (“Silver taiga”) Arkhangelsk: regional normative, moratoria (Greenpeace, WWF Russia) Karelia: moratoria, regional maps HCVF included into regional Forest plan (SPOK) Kirov: HCVF included into regional Forest plan (WWF, regional certification center) Pskov: environmental planning (WWF Russia, Green Forest) Far East: regional norms, HCVF mapping, HCVF included into regional Forest plans (WWF Russia, Amur branch)

Russian Regions where HCVF concept is in real use That’s all!

Issues Stereotypes No legislation Federal authorities are not interested in the concept Principles of sustainable forestry are just declared by the applicable forest legislation, a goal of intensification of forestry is officially announced Old-growth landscape-level forests are the areas of the very strong conflict of interests No any significant HCVF projects can be done in coming years - Russia is a rich country, but there are no any funding for such activities The concept is too flexible and too rigid at the same time – we need more A strong lack of data like large-scale maps of habitats, forests, vegetation, soils etc.

Main threats to HCVF in Russia Green - Intact Forest Landscapes Yellow – Recent Clear Cutting and Mining Sites Red - Recent Catastrophic Forest Fires

FSC is the only instrument for HCVF concept implementation Most of HCVF areas that were mapped or defined have no any official status and are protected voluntarily by companies. It causes some issues for companies

HCVF team in Russia Most of people who deal with HCVF in Russia are here

Conclusions HCVF activities in Russia needs international support, both in terms of funding and advocacy The possibilities for development and implementing of HCVF concept in Russia are very poor now HCVF concept itself is not enough neither for biodiversity and other environmental values protection, nor for social responsibility HCVF concept should be adjusted to country or region conditions not only in terms of HCVF definitions, but in terms of its place in the system of environment protection as well

Questions How to involve Russian authorities and business into the HCV Network?

Proposals