Tread Softly

13/7/2018: The news that the DRC will allow oil drilling in two national parks, both UNESCO world heritage sites, was understandably met with great concern among environmentalists. Why is the Congolese government doing this? Source: African Arguments

Tread Softly Comment: Most of us despair at understanding DRC politics. Even the UN Secretary-General found himself cancelling a visit at the last moment during the week. This analysis is therefore doubly reassuring in its confident tone from the inside track. Many telling observations on corrupt governance, not least that DRC oil concessions are held mostly by small companies, the sort that slip under the radar of anti-bribery regulations. A useful cross-reference is a recent WWF report which finds that oil and gas concessions cover 8% of the world's tropical intact forest landscapes. Relevant Briefing: Causes of Deforestation

6/7/2018: Indigenous peoples and local communities conserve lands and forests for a quarter of the cost of public and private investments in protected areas, according to new findings. Interview with Victoria Tauli-Corpuz. Source: Devex

Tread Softly Comment: the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous People presents familiar arguments in favour of community forest management. This is a proven model for controlling deforestation which may gain greater donor attention, as results of traditional protected areas remain disappointing. Relevant Briefing: Rights-based Solutions to Deforestation

2/7/2018: Over the past decade, Norway has spent $3 billion to support efforts to keep forests standing in all of the world’s major rainforest countries. A report from Oslo takes stock of what’s worked and what hasn’t. Source: Mongabay

Tread Softly Comment: Alarm bells are ringing in Norwegian political circles as evidence mounts that the rate of global deforestation is not falling as hoped. This is one of a series of reports posing awkward questions for the world's most prominent forests donor. Relevant Briefing: Causes of Deforestation