Central Africa is not only carbon stock

Preliminary efforts to promote adaptation to climate change for forest and communities in Congo Basin.

In Central Africa, REDD+ (Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation and conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries) is receiving political attention with the support of the international community who have interest in conserving biodiversity and maintaining carbon stocks. However, adaptation which is closely related to development and which seems to be priority for vulnerable societies, is not receiving the same level of attention in the region. By giving political priority to REDD+ projects and other mitigation approaches, national efforts at adaptation may become weakened. In this paper, the authors, (1) present the state of the forests of the Congo Basin and give a very brief summary of efforts to combat climate change; and (2) highlight some preliminary efforts of the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and partners aimed at improving adaptation to climate change of forest and forest dwelling communities in countries of the Congo Basin.