The Democratic Republic of Congo has the largest extent of tropical rainforests in Africa, and second largest on earth, covering over 100 million hectares. Deforestation continues to be a major issue with agriculture, fuel wood, logging, mining, and hydroelectric projects posing the greatest threats.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is committed to taking action to reduce deforestation and mitigate climate change. DRC developed a REDD Readiness Preparation Proposal (R-PP), which was signed in March 2010 and an Emission Reductions Program Idea Note (ER-PIN) for the Mai-Ndombe province, which was approved in June 2013.
Financing flows and institutions receiving funds committed for REDD+ activities in DRC:
The REDD+ activities recipients are predominantly based in DRC with 76% of funds committed directed towards funding REDD+ activities through the government of DRC (Ministry of Environment, Nature Conservation and Tourism), private company, NOVACEL, and local NGOs and academia. International NGOs and academia are scheduled to receive the additional 24%. .
During preliminary data collection, the REDDX team and in-country partner, ERAIFT was unable to identify second tier recipients. A clearer picture will emerge as additional REDDX data collection continues.
The government of DRC received the majority of commitments early on in the REDD+ process. In 2011, there were no commitments to the government, but local and international NGOs and academia, as well as the private sector (NOVACEL) received a combined US$20.7 million. In 2012, commitments decreased slightly with a total of US$18.2 million committed to government of DRC and International NGOs and academia through the Congo Basin Forest Fund ( CBFF).
The data presented below highlights levels of REDD+ financing committed and disbursed, main donors, recipients and REDD+ activities in the period between 2009 and the end of 2012.