In 2015 the government of Gabon established a National Land Use Planning process to regularize, harmonize and optimize the planning, allocation and management of all land and ocean areas across different sectors, from mining to protected areas. We present the political process of developing an inter-ministerial National Land Use Planning Commission, and the technical and legal methodologies developed to reduce land use conflicts, optimize land and water use, include communities, and minimize impacts to biodiversity and carbon resources. The National Land Use Planning Commission has addressed proposals for agricultural allocations, community forestry, mining developments, and is preparing work on protected areas, among other land uses.

During this period, the government took the strategic decision to develop the palm oil industry, with a political commitment to develop it in a sustainable manner. To support this effort, the government produced National Guidelines to help producers and regulators apply best standards in site selection. The methodology involves a multi-criteria analysis to identify agriculturally productive sites whilst maintaining areas of high conservation value (HCV) for biodiversity and high carbon stocks (HCS), and taking into account social considerations through FPIC processes. Currently, these guidelines apply to all agro-industrial development in Gabon. Through this example, we share on-the-ground experience in planning and implementing biodiversity-considerate, nature-positive, carbon neutral development in the Congo Basin rainforests.