Environment and natural resource management
As a contributor to the environmental transition, Ginger SOFRECO supports institutions, funding agencies and businesses in the sustainable management of natural resources. We work to strengthen the responsible management of natural resources, adaptation to climate change and the environmental and social performance of projects.
Our expertise combines technical precision, an integrated approach and knowledge of natural spaces to place environmental issues at the heart of development. We ensure that funding agencies’ safeguard policies are properly implemented to guarantee that funded projects are environmentally friendly, socially responsible and promote sustainable development.
Projects
Years of experience
Experts mobilised
Our sectors of work
The services we provide in the field of the environment and natural resource management cover a wide range of issues, including sustainable forest management, integrated water and sanitation management, biodiversity protection, strategies for mitigating and adapting to climate change, as well as the environmental and social assessment of projects.
Our consultancy, study and technical assistance assignments are mainly carried out as part of programmes financed by international funding agencies. They are aimed at both public institutions and stakeholders in the field - local authorities, private operators and civil society organisations - with a view to capacity strengthening and the practical implementation of environmental policies.
Environmental policies and institutions
Forestry and biodiversity
Climate change and climate finance
Water resource management
Environmental policies and institutions
We work with governments to support the establishment of effective regulatory and institutional frameworks in the environmental sector. Our main activities are as follows:
- Drafting of environmental laws and regulations
- Strengthening of institutions responsible for environmental protection
- Participation in the development of environmental action programmes and other strategic tools
- Support for the preparation and evaluation (mid-term and final) of environmental projects
Our references in environment and natural resource management
Independent audit of the FLEGT timber legality assurance system in Congo ( 2022 - 2025 )
The Independent System Audit in Congo ensures transparency and legality in forestry operations by evaluating the Legality Verification System. Through audits, we monitor timber traceability and certification procedures and identify any weaknesses in the system. Our recommendations help improve forest governance and ensure compliance with the requirements of the FLEGT Voluntary Partnership Agreement. We also measure the impact of corrective actions implemented and ensure the transparent management of complaints related to the system. Through these actions, we actively contribute to the sustainable management of forest resources and the fight against illegal logging.
Technical Assistance for the implementation of the Sustainable Forest Management Programme ( 2022 - 2026 )
Since September 2022, we have been assisting the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MEDD) in implementing the Sustainable Forest Management Programme (PGDF) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
This programme aims to create the conditions for more sustainable forest management in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by helping to define a forestry policy and developing, through pilot actions, operational methods and tools that can be replicated at the end of the programme for all stakeholders in the sector.
More specifically, our teams, deployed in Kinshasa and in five provinces (Mai-Ndombe, Equateur, Mongala, Tshopo and Ituri), are working to:
- Contribute to better governance of the sector;
- Develop a participatory and transparent forestry policy;
- Contribute to the development of a sector of artisans in the forest/timber sector implementing legal practices;
- Support the development of sustainable forest management by communities and local authorities;
- Ensure that large forest concessions are managed in accordance with Congolese forestry legislation;
- Strengthen the capacity of local forestry administrations and decentralised administrations in the territorial entities to supervise forestry activities.
Technical Assistance on Green Finance for the Climate Finance and Green Economy (CF&GE) Unit of the National Treasury ( 2024 - 2026 )
The EU-funded technical assistance (TA) aims to facilitate the achievement of Kenya's climate objectives by strengthening the capacity of the Climate Finance and Green Economy (CF&GE) Unit of the National Treasury. The support focuses on establishing enabling legislative, regulatory and policy frameworks to attract climate finance to the country.
The TA provides targeted support to increase the CF&GE's capacity to develop bankable climate adaptation proposals and to mobilise, monitor and report on green finance. In addition, the TA strengthens the CF&GE's role as climate finance coordinator in the country by improving intra-government collaboration (other units of the National Treasury, key ministries and counties) as well as collaboration with funding agencies, climate funds, key political stakeholders and the private sector.
Technical Assistance to the Project Coordination Unit and Implementing Agencies for the Water and Sanitation Sectoral Project ( 2022 - 2027 )
Since April 2022, Ginger SOFRECO has been providing technical assistance to Mauritania's Ministry of Water and Sanitation (MWS) for the implementation of the Water and Sanitation Sector Project, funded by the World Bank.
This project aims to improve access to drinking water and sanitation services in rural areas in five wilayas while strengthening the institutional capacities of the MWS and its affiliated bodies.
Our teams:
- Support the Project Coordination Unit (PCU) in the management, supervision and procurement of works.
- Support implementing agencies in project management.
- Assist state agencies in their institutional reform, particularly in the delegation of public services for water supply networks and the improvement of groundwater management capacities.
This mission involves several experts and is part of a sustainable approach to ensure the continuity of the services put in place.
Technical Assistance to the Guinean Environmental Assessment Agency ( 2024 - 2027 )
Our intervention with the Guinean Environmental Assessment Agency aims to strengthen its technical, administrative and financial capacities, as well as those of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development and other ministerial departments involved in the national environmental and social management system (NESMS).
A comprehensive capacity-building system based on international best practices and adapted to the NESMS is to be developed in order to lead to the participatory deployment and implementation of a capacity-building plan focusing on five areas:
- Institutional and legal capacity building to better frame the functioning of the Guinean Environmental Assessment Agency and the country's environmental and social monitoring framework;
- Strengthening of organisational and human resources capacities to improve the organisation of the Guinean Environmental Assessment Agency and the ministry, strengthen its human resources and improve management practices;
- Strengthening of environmental and social audit and monitoring procedures, guidelines and models;
- Strengthening of the information system and technical equipment for better data management and dissemination;
- Strengthening of individual and collective skills through a training plan.
Dedicated teams
Ginger SOFRECO's Environment and Natural Resource Management Department relies on a multidisciplinary team comprising a Director, a Deputy Director and a team of project managers and assistants.
The team includes engineers with a wide range of skills (environment, agronomy, civil engineering, geology, mining, etc.), as well as academics specialised in environmental law or social sciences. This enables us to adopt a project approach that simultaneously includes technical, regulatory and socio-economic considerations.
Our project managers use their expertise to supervise the teams in the field and to ensure the quality of the services provided. They all have substantial experience in managing complex projects financed by a broad spectrum of international funding agencies (the European Union, World Bank, bilateral agencies, etc.).
We operate in many different geographical, environmental and socio-cultural environments, including Sahelian zones, tropical forest regions, island territories, urban areas and mining zones. Such diversity strengthens our ability to offer solutions tailored to local issues, striking a balance among development, environmental conservation and social inclusion.
in-house staff
regular experts
They trust us
CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS
Mitigation measures in the fight against climate change
Climate change is already profoundly affecting tropical regions, bringing about major human, economic and environmental consequences. In Africa, for example, economic losses linked to climate impacts could reach as much as 15% of GDP by 2050 if no mitigation measures are taken (source: African Development Bank).
Extreme events – prolonged droughts, violent floods, rising temperatures, soil erosion – are becoming increasingly frequent and are weakening agricultural systems, reducing the availability of water resources and exacerbating food insecurity. These climatic events have a particularly severe impact on rural populations, who are already vulnerable, and undermine development efforts in the long term.
Given these circumstances, institutional support is essential for integrating climate change mitigation into public policies, sectoral strategies (agriculture, water, energy and land use planning) and territorial planning mechanisms. It is also important to strengthen community resilience by supporting sustainable production systems, appropriate infrastructure, climate risk management and access to climate finance.
Ginger SOFRECO works alongside governments, local authorities and technical and financial partners to design and implement effective, realistic mitigation strategies based on local circumstances.
Contact us
