The Solution

Greenpeace called for a strict and rigorous review of the legality of existing logging permits, so that those which violated the 2002 moratorium can be withdrawn.

The government has undertaken a review, but the results are mixed. Some illegal logging concessions were cancelled after the review, however the terms of reference were not properly followed and new contracts have been awarded to destroy twice as much forest area than advised by the technical working group. The review was still ongoing in 2009, having not yet drawn a line in the sand over logging in the Congo Basin.

It is now up to DRC government to develop a more sustainable management plan and stricter controls to halt deforestation of the Congo.

What is needed now

The moratorium should be lifted only once a comprehensive and participatory zoning plan defining types of land use is established, effective governance in the forest sector is guaranteed, the legal framework completed, and classified forests identified. The new DRC Forestry Code requires that protected forests represent at least 15 percent of the national territory (as opposed to 7.7 percent at present). Identification of these areas must begin straight away.

In parallel, it is necessary to clean up the logging practices and to develop sustainable ways of managing the forest. To do so, it is essential to invest in the promotion of non-destructive forest use (community forests, protected areas, tourism, etc). These will create revenue for the State while benefiting local communities and keeping the forest ecosystem intact.

Forest for Climate

The rest of the world’s governments can act to save the remaining invaluable tracts of rainforest and keep the world under a dangerous catastrophic level of climate change. Our Forests for Climate proposal for the Climate Summit in December 2009 is a way to achieve funding that is equitable and effective.