16 May 2013: The World Bank and the Central Africa Forests Commission (COMIFAC) organized a regional conference to discuss the study ‘Deforestation Trends in the Congo Basin: Reconciling Economic Growth and Forest Protection,’ which analyzes the main drivers of deforestation from agriculture, energy, forestry, infrastructure and mining, while proposing ways to achieve “forest-friendly” growth in the region.

The conference, held in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) from 15-16 May 2013, debated the three-year research project leading up to the study suggesting that, to tackle the challenges of accelerated development, population growth and greater global demand for commodities in the Congo Basin, a number of “non-regret” actions could be employed. The conference highlighted, in particular: improvement of land tenure schemes; prioritization of agriculture expansion on non-forested areas; diversification of energy supplies; and enhancement of sustainable forest management (SFM).

The report shows that, despite a relative low rate of deforestation when compared to other tropical forests, the Congo Basin has seen double the rate of degradation and deforestation from 1990-2000 to 2000-2005, largely because of the expansion of subsistence agriculture and energy activities. With regard to agriculture, the conference also focused on the impacts of palm oil plantations. Discussions on energy considered fuelwood and REDD+ investments in energy, while those on forestry looked at both artisanal and large scale forestry, as well as issues related to governance. Finally, the risks from mineral resource extraction and the expansion of infrastructure were explored in detail with industry experts.

Coordinated by the World Bank, the study also received financial support from the Program on Forests (PROFOR), the Governments of Norway and the UK and the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF). [PROFOR Press Release] [Forests Policy & Practice article on Deforestation Drivers in the Congo Basin]