Ahead of COP27 Energy Day, African forests in the crosshairs of oil and gas expansion: A threat to ecosystems and communities around the world
SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt, Nov. 15, 2022/PRNewswire/ — As world leaders gather for “Energy Day” at COP27 on Tuesday, November 15, a new report highlights how the expansion of fossil fuels fossil fuels threatens Africa’s climate-critical tropical forests and casts doubt on how this will serve the region’s energy needs. Spotlight on Congo, a new analysis of Africa’s oil and gas blocs and the Congo Basin, clearly shows the growing threats that oil and gas development poses to Africa’s critical ecosystems. The results show the following:
While it is clear that new fossil fuels cannot be developed anywhere if the world is to avoid overshooting internationally agreed climate targets, there are also few details on how this plan will address the energy needs of a continent that contains 90% of the world’s population. that lacks electricity.
Joe Eisen, chief executive of the Rainforest Foundation UK, explained: “The risk is that this push for oil drilling in Africa’s forests benefits foreign companies, export markets and politicians over rural communities. The time it will take to build the infrastructure needed to extract oil from these remote and sensitive areas could also leave them as stranded assets as the world transitions to renewable energy Africa has great potential in this area, but currently it only receives 2% of global investment. This has to change.”
The solutions presented in the report focus on pressuring the G20 economies to accept their historic responsibility for climate change, committing to write off debt and expand financial resources to keep fossil fuels in the ground and trees standing. , as well as to promote the rights of indigenous peoples and other local communities.
Report links: English / French
Infographic map available for use with link here images available for use here
Francois BILOKO, Secretary General of Réseau CREF, a leading environment network in the Congo Basin, offered a reality test during COP27:
“We must not let a chaotic expansion of fossil fuels put at risk our precious tropical forests, biodiversity hotspots and the rights and livelihoods of forest communities who are already feeling the impacts of climate change. If we focus on harnessing our potential in renewable energy, Africa and the countries of the Congo Basin can lead the way to a green and prosperous future,” he said.
“What the world needs today is 21st century solutions that put people, nature and climate stability first. Vital ecosystems, such as the Congo and Amazon basins and other regions, must be prioritized for their preservation along with expanding the rights and territories of indigenous and local communities,” said Tyson Miller, Executive Director of Earth InSight.
More information available at: Earth Insight Web Portal (with usable maps etc.) or Rainforest Foundation UK Site
Info – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1946597/Earth_InSight___Congo_In_The_Crosshairs___Infographic.jpg
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