2017年-世界发展银行全球_Extractive_Industries_in_Forest_Landscapes___Options_for_Synergy_with_REDD_and_Development_of_Standards_in_the_Democratic_Republic_of_Congo_12页_877kb

Summary of "Extractive industries in forest landscapes: options for synergy with REDD+ and development of standards in the Democratic Republic of Congo"

Core Content

This paper examines the intersection between extractive industries and REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation, plus conservation of forest carbon stocks) in the context of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It explores how extractive industries, particularly mining, can contribute to REDD+ objectives by mitigating deforestation and degradation, while also promoting sustainable development and equitable outcomes.

The DRC is one of the poorest countries globally, with a high Human Development Index (HDI) ranking of 176th out of 188. It possesses extensive tropical forest reserves, covering about 60% of the Congo Basin and 152.6 million hectares. Deforestation in the DRC has been increasing, with 85% of the regional loss occurring within the country, primarily driven by agriculture, logging, and mining. Mining, especially artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM), has a significant impact on forest landscapes, both directly and indirectly, through infrastructure development, land use change, and environmental degradation.

Main Views

• Extractive industries are a major driver of deforestation in tropical regions, particularly in the DRC, and their operations, including surface mining and related infrastructure, contribute to forest loss and degradation.
• REDD+ aims to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, enhance carbon stocks, and promote sustainable development. It offers a framework for financial incentives to support low-carbon development strategies.
• Mining operations are increasingly being recognized as a key sector to engage with for achieving REDD+ goals, especially in the DRC where the extractive sector is a significant economic activity.
• Options for synergy between extractive industries and REDD+ include:
  • Avoiding operations in forest areas, which is limited due to economic importance of extractives.
  • Mitigating impacts through improved regulation, better land use planning, and community involvement.
  • Compensating residual impacts via carbon offset schemes and reforestation efforts.

Key Information

1. Impact of Extractive Industries on Forests

• Extractive industries and their infrastructure are among the leading causes of forest loss and degradation globally.
• Surface mining is particularly damaging, while ASM has a variable environmental footprint depending on scale, duration, and regulation.
• ASM often overlaps with other land uses and can lead to indirect deforestation through associated activities like logging and agriculture.
• Mining can affect Protected Areas (PAs) and World Heritage Sites (WHS), threatening biodiversity and ecosystem services.

2. REDD+ and Extractive Industries

• REDD+ is a policy mechanism aimed at reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, with a focus on cost-efficiency, effectiveness, and equity.
• Extractive industries are often not explicitly integrated into REDD+ strategies, despite being a major driver of deforestation.
• Companies may have relevant environmental and social policies that can align with REDD+ objectives, though they typically focus on their own energy use and emissions rather than broader land use impacts.

3. DRC's Context

• The DRC has rich mineral resources, including cobalt, copper, gold, and uranium, and has seen a rise in ASM since the 1990s.
• Mining concessions often overlap with forest lands and customary land uses, leading to conflicts and environmental degradation.
• The country is a leader in REDD+ policy development, but more detailed guidance is needed to integrate extractive industries effectively.

4. Opportunities and Risks

• Opportunities for REDD+ include:
  • Improved regulation and enforcement of environmental standards.
  • Landscape-level planning and cross-sectoral collaboration.
  • Supporting alternative livelihoods for ASM communities.
  • Implementing low-impact technologies and infrastructure.
  • Allocating mining-free zones and promoting reclamation.
• Risks include:
  • Poor monitoring and enforcement of laws.
  • Uncertain land tenure and conflicting land allocations.
  • Failure to address equity issues and community rights.
  • Informal mining activities and exclusion of ASM from REDD+ mechanisms.
  • Leakage effects where deforestation is displaced to other areas.

Conclusion

The paper highlights the need for a more integrated approach to managing extractive industries in forested areas, particularly in the DRC. While avoiding extractive operations in forests is not economically viable, mitigation and compensation strategies can offer significant potential for reducing emissions and promoting sustainable development. These strategies require strong policy frameworks, community engagement, and robust monitoring systems to ensure effectiveness and equity. The development of REDD+ Standards for the extractive sector in the DRC is a critical step toward achieving these goals, but it must address the identified risks and challenges to be successful.