DRC hit by record deforestation in 2024, satellite data show – Mongabay

Report on Deforestation in the Democratic Republic of Congo and its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

The Congo Basin rainforest, a critical ecosystem for global climate regulation and biodiversity, faces accelerating rates of deforestation, particularly within the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This report analyzes recent data on forest loss in the DRC, identifies the primary drivers, and assesses the profound impact on the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Deforestation Trends: A Setback for SDG 15

Satellite data from 2024 reveals a significant escalation in forest loss, directly undermining SDG 15 (Life on Land), which calls for the protection, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. The DRC is experiencing one of the highest absolute rates of primary forest loss globally, posing a severe threat to biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Key Statistics (2024)

• Primary Forest Loss: A record 590,000 hectares were lost, an increase from 530,000 hectares in 2023.
• Total Tree Cover Loss: Reached 1.38 million hectares, encompassing primary and secondary forests.
• Cumulative Loss (2002-2024): The DRC lost 7.1% of its total forest cover during this period.

Regional Impact

Deforestation has intensified in several key provinces, including Tshopo, Sankuru, and Maniema, as well as in the eastern and central parts of the country. Forest loss within designated land use zones also reached record highs in 2024:

1. Forestry Concessions: 6.64% loss between 2015 and 2024.
2. Community Forests (CFCLs): 6.12% loss during the same period.
3. Protected Areas: 2.44% loss, indicating that even legally protected zones are under severe pressure.

These trends highlight a critical failure in governance and enforcement, directly impacting targets under SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and SDG 15.2 (promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests).

Primary Drivers of Deforestation and Their Link to SDGs

The drivers of forest loss in the DRC are complex and interconnected, spanning socio-economic pressures, resource extraction, and political instability. Addressing them requires an integrated approach that recognizes their impact across multiple SDGs.

Subsistence Agriculture and Energy Poverty

Shifting cultivation remains the dominant driver of deforestation. This practice is directly linked to challenges in achieving SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 1 (No Poverty), as communities clear land for food production. Furthermore, the reliance on charcoal for energy, stemming from a lack of access to electricity for 90% of the population, undermines SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and drives forest degradation, particularly around major urban centers.

Artisanal and Semi-Industrial Mining

The extraction of minerals, while potentially contributing to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), has severe environmental and social consequences.

• Artisanal Mining: A 2024 study found that artisanal mining accounts for at least 6.6% of deforestation in eastern DRC, with indirect impacts (clearing for agriculture and settlements) being 28 times greater than the direct mine footprint. While a source of livelihood, it often fails to improve long-term food security or alleviate poverty, thus hindering progress on SDG 1 and SDG 2.
• Semi-Industrial Mining: These operations cause extensive environmental damage, including the devastation of river ecosystems and water pollution from toxic tailings. This directly contravenes SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

Wildfires and Climate Change

Wildfires have emerged as a significant and growing threat, with a record 95,399 hectares of forest lost to fires in 2024. This trend, exacerbated by dry conditions, jeopardizes the vast carbon stores of the Cuvette Centrale peatlands, which are crucial for global climate stability and the achievement of SDG 13 (Climate Action). The increased risk necessitates improved fire management plans and public awareness.

Conflict and Displacement

Persistent conflict and insecurity in eastern DRC, reflecting a failure to achieve SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), places immense pressure on forest resources. The influx of internally displaced people into areas surrounding national parks like Kahuzi-Biega and Virunga has led to a dramatic increase in illegal charcoal production and land clearing for shelter and agriculture. Tree cover loss in these critical conservation areas more than doubled in 2023, demonstrating how humanitarian crises can directly accelerate the degradation of vital ecosystems essential for SDG 15.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 15: Life on Land

  This is the most central SDG, as the article’s primary focus is on the significant primary forest loss in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the drivers of this deforestation (agriculture, mining, wildfires), and the impact on biodiversity, including threatened species like gorillas, chimpanzees, and forest elephants.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  The article connects forest loss directly to climate change by describing the Congo Basin rainforest as a regulator of the “global climate, taking in greenhouse gases.” It also highlights the destruction of carbon-rich ecosystems like the “extensive peatlands,” which are a “major carbon store.”

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  The article explicitly links conflict and deforestation. It states that “escalating conflict and insecurity in the eastern DRC also put increasing pressure on forest resources” and mentions the “resurgence of the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group” leading to an influx of internally displaced people who rely on forest resources for survival.

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  The high demand for charcoal is identified as a key driver of forest loss. The article directly links this to a lack of modern energy infrastructure, stating that “only 10% of the DRC population has access to electricity,” which forces the population to depend on wood-based fuel for cooking.

• SDG 1: No Poverty

  The article implies a strong link between poverty and environmental degradation. It notes that “millions of people depend directly on the forest for food, energy and income” and that people resort to artisanal mining “when they did not have other options,” suggesting it is an activity driven by economic necessity rather than choice.

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  Subsistence agriculture, specifically “shifting cultivation, also called ‘slash-and-burn’ agriculture,” is identified as the “main driver of forest loss.” The article also notes that a higher reliance on mining had “negative impacts on food security” by taking people away from farming.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The article discusses artisanal and semi-industrial mining as significant economic activities. However, it questions their sustainability and benefit, noting that artisanal mining leads to extensive deforestation and that miners “were not much better off than other households,” indicating a lack of decent work and sustainable economic benefit.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Under SDG 15 (Life on Land):
  • Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains and drylands. The article’s entire theme revolves around the failure to conserve forest ecosystems in the DRC.
  • Target 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally. The record-high primary forest loss of 590,000 hectares in 2024 shows a clear failure to halt deforestation.
  • Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species. The article mentions that the forest is “home to some of the planet’s most threatened wildlife — gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos, okapi, forest elephants.” Their habitat is being actively destroyed.
• Under SDG 13 (Climate Action):
  • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. The loss of the Congo Basin rainforest, described as the “Earth’s second lung” and a major carbon store due to its peatlands, is a significant setback for climate change mitigation, highlighting a gap in effective policy and action.
• Under SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions):
  • Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere. The article discusses the “escalating conflict” and the “resurgence of M23,” which directly drives resource exploitation and inhibits conservation efforts.
• Under SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy):
  • Target 7.1: By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services. The article’s point that “only 10% of the DRC population has access to electricity” directly relates to this target and explains the heavy reliance on charcoal, a major driver of deforestation.
• Under SDG 1 (No Poverty):
  • Target 1.1: By 2030, eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere. The article suggests that poverty is a root cause of deforestation, as people turn to unsustainable practices like artisanal mining because they “did not have other options.”

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for SDG Target 15.1 and 15.2 (Forest Area and Management):
  • The article provides precise quantitative data that can be used as indicators for forest loss. This includes:
    • Annual primary forest loss: “spiked to a record high of 590,000 hectares (1.5 million acres) in 2024.”
    • Total tree cover loss: “1.38 million hectares (3.4 million acres) lost in 2024.”
    • Long-term forest cover change: “From 2002 to 2024, the DRC lost 7.1% of its forest cover.”
    • Forest loss in protected areas: “Protected areas lost 2.44% of their total forest cover in the same period [2015-2024].”
• Indicator for SDG Target 7.1 (Access to Energy):
  • The article explicitly states a key indicator: “only 10% of the DRC population has access to electricity.” This directly measures the lack of access to modern energy services.
• Indicator for SDG Target 16.1 (Peace and Security):
  • While not providing specific numbers on violence, the article implies indicators related to conflict and instability. It mentions the “influx of internally displaced people,” which has caused the population of Goma to swell to “more than 2 million.” The number of internally displaced persons is a key indicator of conflict and its humanitarian impact.
• Implied Indicator for SDG Target 15.5 (Biodiversity):
  • The article does not provide a Red List Index or population counts for threatened species. However, the rate of habitat loss (e.g., “annual tree cover loss within the area of the park where illegal charcoal production is focused more than doubled in 2023”) serves as a powerful proxy indicator for the increasing threat to the biodiversity mentioned, such as gorillas, okapi, and forest elephants.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: news.mongabay.com