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In recent years, peatlands in the transboundary landscape of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Republic of Congo have emerged as an essential theme in climate discourse following the discovery of their magnitude and carbon storage potential.  These significant wetlands in the Congo Basin have been demarcated for protection.

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Given the emission risks associated with their exploitation, it is vital to protect these peatlands. To avoid the destructive trajectories observed in other tropics, countries in the sub-region have established relationships with other tropical countries, like Indonesia, and have integrated structures, such as the International Tropical Peatlands Center (ITPC).

Financial flows related to emissions reduction efforts have gradually been structured to consider the emission risks associated with peatlands. Thus, the Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI) program highlighted the need to protect and/or sustainably manage the peatlands of the transboundary landscape of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo.

Several studies and initiatives have since commenced in these countries to understand better the ecosystems and the socio-economic activities associated with them to achieve sustainable management. It is in this perspective that this side event aims to explore how specific options can be implemented to integrate the issue of peatlands into the REDD+ architecture of the Congo Basin countries. This will involve:

(a) Exploring integration into a land use planning program in the Congo Basin,

(b) Presenting preliminary results on investigations of socio-anthropological conditions in the Democratic Republic of Congo,

(c) Exploring the importance of geospatial tools in peatland management in a land use planning process in the Congo Basin.

Agenda

  • Denis Sonwa, World Resources Institute, Africa
  • Approach to integrating peatlands in a land use planning process in the Republic of Congo. Mackline Bemba, CIFOR-ICRAF-Congo
  • Preliminary results of investigations on socio-anthropological conditions in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Jean Jacques Bambuta, UGT (Peatland Management Unit, Democratic Republic of Congo
  • Importance of geospatial tools in peatland management in a land use planning process. Joseph Mangouende, World Resources Institute, Republic of Congo
  • Questions and answers
  • Denis Sonwa, World Resources Institute, Africa

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Cover image by CIFOR-ICRAF/Flickr