As the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) delegation heads to COP30 in Belém - the so-called “Rainforest COP” – RFUK and a coalition of 21 Congolese civil society and Indigenous organisations is urging policymakers to recognise the country’s community forestry model as a cornerstone of climate and biodiversity action. 

Holding 60% of the world’s second-largest rainforest and its largest terrestrial carbon sink, the DRC promotes itself as a “solutions country” to the global climate and biodiversity crises and will play a central role in the negotiations at the COP. It is also expected to make several important commitments regarding the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities including through the Forests and Climate Leaders Partnership (FCLP) and the Congo Basin Compact. 

A Rights-Based Model for Climate and Development 

In the Información launched today, the coalition sets out exactly how the country’s innovative community forest model can contribute to these and other commitments as well as national initiatives such as the Kivu-Kinshasa Green Corridor, one of the world’s largest terrestrial protected areas that was created in January.    

Since the legal framework for community forestry in DRC was completed in 2016, over 227 Local Community Forest Concessions (CFCLs) have been established in the country covering 4.5 million hectares - area larger than mainland Denmark. These concessions, which can be up to 50,000 hectares and held by communities in perpetuity, enable local populations to protect their forests while generating livelihoods through activities such as agroforestry, sustainable fishing, and non-timber forest products. 

Delivering on DRC’s Global Commitments 

With the right institutional backing, enabling policy and business environment, Community forestry can be major pathway for DRC to realise its stated ambitions. In order the fully realise this potential, the coalition call for: 

• Scaling up CFCLs nationwide; 

• Consolidating existing CFCLs through implementation of simple management plans and better support and financing; 

• Aligning community forestry policies with related reforms including the Indigenous and land-use planning laws; 

• Investing in local economies to make community forestry a true engine for development. 

The briefing recommends that all the above be included in a new national community forest strategy to guide implementation over the coming decade, among other practical steps. 

At COP30, Congolese civil society is calling on national and international leaders to back rights-based, locally-led solutions that combine ecological protection with social justice. Community forestry in the DRC shows that when forest peoples’ rights are secured, the world’s forests stand a better chance of surviving and thriving.  

 Read the full briefing by clicking the image below: