The Congo Basin

The Congo Basin Rainforest
Deforestation in the Congo Basin
Norway's support to the Congo Basin
Central African Forest Initaitive

April 22 2016, the Central AfricanForest Initiative (CAFI) Executive Board and the Minister of Finance of the DR Congo signed a letter of intent (LOI) for 200 million US dollars to address deforestation and forest degradation in the country and to promote sustainable development. This LOI is the first signed between CAFI and a country of the Central Africa region, and the largest one ever concluded on REDD+ in Africa.

 

 

The Congo Basin Rainforest

The Congo basin is the world's second largest rainforests. It stretches over six central African countries, covering about 2 million square kilometres. This area is more than five times the size of Germany. The Congo Basin is important to mitigate climate change because it stores huge amounts of carbon. It is therefore important to all of humanity. The basin is also home to a stunning biodiversity. The world's largest populations of lowland gorillas, chimpanzees, forest elephants and the endemic bonobo and okapi also have their home in the Congo Basin. It is essential to the regional water balance and rainfall patterns. Not least, this forest plays a vital role in the livelihoods and economic well-being of millions of people who live in and around the forest.

Deforestation in the Congo Basin is still relatively low, but new research indicates that it is changing rapidly. That is why urgent action is needed to avoid high deforestation and the local and global consequences this would have. To succeed in preventing deforestation in Central Africa, there is a need for better forest governance, people- and forest friendly sustainable development and poverty reduction.

 

Deforestation in the Congo Basin 

The rainforest in Africa originally extended from the coast of West Africa to East Africa and Uganda. Because of deforestation only the Congo Basin still has large continuous areas of rainforest.

Deforestation not only creates problems for the environment, but also for the local society. 120 million people live in the region, and about half of them derive parts of their livelihood from these forests in the form of food, medicines, shelter and building materials. The Congo Basin is also very important for water supply and agriculture in large parts of Africa south of the Sahara.

The main reason for the deforestation and forest degradation in DR Congo is small scale slash-and-burn agriculture, where population growth and poverty are the underlying reasons for this form of agriculture. Industrial logging and other industrial extraction of natural resources currently constitute low deforestation and forest degradation figures, but these are expected to increase if the investment climate in the country improves.

There are no corresponding national analyses for the other countries in the region, while the outlook indicates that the industrial driving forces, particularly industrial logging, agriculture and plantation operations, will quickly come to play a larger role in the Republic of the Congo and Gabon as is currently the case in Cameroon.

Internal and external pressures have compelled many local societies in Central Africa to unsustainably exploit the forest. Economic insecurity, badly organised and inefficient agricultural markets, a lack of competition, poor communication and substandard transport infrastructure are limiting alternative ways of life. Deficiencies in communication and transport are also hindering efficient farming, while overuse of the forest is leading to reduced production, which in turn is causing even greater resource scarcity and pressure on the remaining forest.

Central Africa's population is expected to double over the next 20 years. The lack of economic alternatives for the forest inhabitants, as well as internal displacement are putting pressure on the forests. Even the urban population is almost entirely dependent on firewood from the forest for food preparation.

Since economic growth and poverty reduction require efficient and sustainable use of the land and forest resources it is vital to ensure that the Congo Basin does not disappear.

Norway's support to the Congo Basin

Successful climate and forest work has the potential to strengthen local development, for example through a better management of natural resources. An overview and control of own resources is the first step to responsible use of the forest, and the potential for economic growth without degrading the forest is substantial.

Norway provides support to protect the Congo Basin through several channels:

1. Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI) www.cafi.org

This is the largest international collaboration to protect the Congo Basin. It consists of six Central African countries (DRC, Republic of Congo, Gabon, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and the Central African Republic), five donors (UK, France, Germany, EU and Norway) and international organisations (UN and the World Bank).

CAFI's goals are to recognize and preserve the value of the forests in the region to mitigate climate change, reduce poverty, and contribute to sustainable development.

April 22 2016, the Central AfricanForest Initiative (CAFI) and the Minister of Finance of the DR Congo signed a letter of intent (LOI) for 200 million US dollars to address deforestation and forest degradation in the country and to promote sustainable development. This LOI is the first signed between CAFI and a country of the Central Africa region, and the largest one ever concluded on REDD+ in Africa.

The key elements of the agreement are; eight major outcomes, reflecting the cross-sectoral nature of the issues at stake to end forest loss in DRC; policy-level commitments combined with more technical objectives; and an emphasis on transparent processes and engagement of stakeholders.

The 200 US$ million support will be given in two tranches, the second upon verification of a number of milestones. Norway will contribute 1520 million NOK to the implementation of DRC's REDD Strategy and investment plan. The signing of the LOI marks a milestone in DRC’s ongoing efforts on REDD+ since 2009, with the support of UN REDD, the World Bank and UNDP.

UNDP's press release - about LOI between CAFI and DRC (Geneva, 22 April 2016)
Letter of Intent between CAFI Executive Board and DRC
Joint Declaration, CAFI launch in New York (New York, 29 September 2015)
DRC REDD+ Strategy - summary for policymakers

2. Civil society

• Several non-commercial entities operate in the Congo Basin, involved in protecting biodiversity, reducing poverty, managing forest resources, improving infrastructure etc.
• Since 2009 Norway has allocated several hundred million NOK to a number of different organisations and measures, including the WWF, and a project that decentralises the country's forest and climate processes.
• More information about NICFI's Support Scheme to Civil Society

3. Multilateral channels

• Norway indirectly has supported the Congo Basin countries through the UN's REDD programme (UN-REDD), the World Bank's global climate and forest programmes (FCPF) and the World Bank's forest investment programme (FIP)
• DR Congo receives about NOK 42 million from UN-REDD for projects that the UN has authorised.
• The World Bank recently resolved to give about NOK 25 million to preparatory work that makes DR Congo ready to be able to report cuts in greenhouse gas emissions (and receive payment for results in the World Bank's carbon fund).  
• If the development continues and the preparatory work is successful, DR Congo can receive a further NOK 300 million from the World Bank's FIP.

4. The African Development Bank's regional fund, the Congo Basin Forest Fund (CBFF)

• The fund finances projects that contribute to better resource management and greenhouse gas accounts
• In 2009 Norway promised to give NOK 500 million to the fund.
• http://www.afdb.org/en/topics-and-sectors/initiatives-partnerships/congo-basin-forest-fund/