Economic Growth and Drivers of Deforestation in the Congo Basin
Activity Type:
Activities Related to Cross-Sectoral Cooperation CHALLENGE
Though the deforestation rates in the Congo Basin countries have historically been low, the trend is likely to change dramatically due to the combination of many different factors: demographic growth (and associated expansion of subsistence agriculture and fuelwood collection); and the development of the industrial agriculture, transport, mining and energy sectors.
Meanwhile, Congo Basin countries acknowledge that they are missing critical robust analytical tools to help their decision-makers better understand how the development of economic sectors can affect the forest cover and strengthen their position in the international arena with regards to negotiations on the REDD mechanism.
APPROACH
PROFOR is supporting an in-depth, multi-sectoral analysis, led by the World Bank at the regional level, of the major drivers of deforestation and forest degradation for the next decades in all six of the Congo Basin countries (Cameroon, Central African Republic, Gabon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Republic of Congo). It will define robust methodological tools to help in developing forward-looking national scenarios, based on different development trajectories.
The analysis is not expected to help predict the future of the Congo Basin forests but rather provide the Governments of the six countries with a robust analytical tool to better understand the potential impacts of development of other sectors on the forest.
RESULTS
This activity is ongoing. Results will be shared on this page when they become available. You can also follow us on twitter (www.twitter.com/forestideas) or subscribe to our mailing list for regular updates.
Last updated 07/19/2010
