What is Democratic Republic of the Congo's pathway to limit global warming to 1.5°C?

The LULUCF sector can become a net sink in Democratic Republic of the Congo by mid-century

Land use, land use-change, and forestry is a significant source of emissions for the DRC, accounting for over 90% of total emissions in 2020. Following 1.5ºC compatible pathways would see the sector become a net sink by mid-century, absorbing more CO₂ than it emits.

5.14 million hectares of opportunity to restore forest cover for climate mitigation

Deforestation is a critical challenge in the DRC, which contains 60% of the Congo rainforest – the second largest tropical forest in the world after the Amazon. In 2024 alone, 1.22 Mha of natural forest were lost, equivalent to 824 MtCO₂ of emissions. With enhanced safeguards, law enforcement and reforestation/afforestation initiatives, it is estimated DRC could reforest up to 5.14 Mha of forest cover, supporting climate mitigation and the resilience of the Congo rainforest.