DRC Strikes Carbon Credit Deal for Congo Basin Protection
The Democratic Republic of Congo has inked a pivotal agreement with a US-based company, dClimate, aimed at preserving the Congo Basin rainforest and peatlands through a carbon credit deal.
This agreement with dClimate is a proactive step toward curbing deforestation in the Congo Basin, targeting the preservation of over 100 million tonnes of carbon dioxide within the forest.
Over recent years, concerns have escalated among environmentalists regarding extensive deforestation across thousands of acres within the Congo basin.
dClimate’s role will extend to assisting DR Congo in establishing a carbon registry, facilitating the tracking and sale of credits—a pivotal move toward sustainable forest preservation.
In line with preserving national sovereignty and local community rights, dClimate clarified that the agreement involves leasing carbon sequestration rights for an initial 10-year period without land acquisition.
Projected to yield approximately $1 billion in credits over the partnership’s duration, dClimate’s co-founder Siddhartha Jha revealed to Bloomberg that the company will retain 10% to 20% of generated revenue.
The success of this initiative hinges on demonstrating emission reductions within the basin—a critical step in generating carbon credits.
Recognized as one of the globe’s most significant carbon sinks, the Congo basin absorbs over 1.5 billion tonnes of CO₂ annually, as highlighted by the UN’s environmental body.
Primarily located in DR Congo, the basin extends into five other countries, signifying the broader regional impact of this preservation effort.
