Altering the Climate of Poverty under Climate Change : the Forests of Congo Basin (sub-Saharan Africa)

The forests of the Congo basin provide ecosystem services to over 80% of the population living in or near them. Climate change is challenging the past and future development efforts of those who depend on the forests for their survival and livelihoods. Yet forestry has received very little attention in national dialogues on climate change. This project aims to underscore the importance of the Congo basin forests in climate change adaptation efforts in Cameroon, Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Researchers will map adaptation priorities and policies in the countries under study. They will engage with stakeholders to ensure that local perspectives are brought to bear on forest management strategies (stakeholders will participate in the design and testing of such strategies). And, they will monitor policy processes and outcomes through field visits, networking, policy engagement analysis and a series of outreach and communication strategies. The overall goal is to ensure the sustainable use of forest resources in the Congo basin.