The Democratic Republic of the Congo is auctioning 52 blocks of its rainforest for oil extraction, risking damage to unique ecosystems. This decision follows a failed auction in 2022, which involved Virunga national park and the Cuvette Centrale peatlands. These areas are critical for carbon storage. Previously, the US and environmental NGOs had urged the DRC to cancel such auctions. The recent auction reflects a notable decline in global opposition compared to past responses, marking a concerning trend for conservation efforts in the region.
In July 2022, the DRC government announced an auction round that included Virunga national park and the Cuvette Centrale tropical peatlands in the north-west of the country, which store the equivalent of three years of global emissions from fossil fuels.
In 2022, the US was a leading diplomatic voice behind the scenes, urging the DRC government to cancel the auction. Dozens of environmental NGOs spoke out to condemn the decision.
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