Kinshasa, December 26, 2024 – The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a country rich in natural resources and exceptional biodiversity, is at a crucial crossroads in its management of climate change. While the country has made commitments under the Paris Agreement, particularly through its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), several obstacles still hinder the implementation of these commitments.
Floribert Nyamwoga, an environmental engineering expert and long-time observer of climate issues in the DRC, provided a clear assessment during an exclusive interview with Kilalopress on December 26. According to him, if the DRC truly wants to play a role in combating global warming, it is imperative to address the structural and financial issues that undermine the effectiveness of the NDC.
The first challenge the country faces, explains Mr. Nyamwoga, is the lack of clear and stable funding to meet its climate commitments. To achieve the greenhouse gas emissions reduction target outlined in the NDC, the DRC would need to invest approximately 43 billion dollars. This is a colossal amount for a country whose budget is already severely inadequate to address urgent social development and infrastructure needs.
“We don’t know how this money is going to come,” laments the expert. “We have a document, yes, but the question is: how are we going to implement it?” The lack of visibility on financing sources, both nationally and internationally, seriously threatens the implementation of the DRC’s NDC.
In addition to the financing issue, another major problem is the weak structuring of key sectors for emission reductions. According to Mr. Nyamwoga, the DRC’s NDC does not yet account for crucial sectors such as waste management, energy, or transport—areas where significant emission reductions could be achieved. The lack of reliable data on emissions and the absence of monitoring mechanisms in these sectors further complicate matters.
“The NDC is unrealistic in its current form, both in terms of ambition and cost. We have made commitments, but without a real foundation to implement them, it becomes a matter of fiction,” he states.
Like many other developing countries, the DRC sees carbon markets as an opportunity to generate additional funding for its climate projects. However, Mr. Nyamwoga points out that there is a huge gap between promises and reality. The country, which should have been taking advantage of carbon market mechanisms since the Kyoto Protocol era, has made considerable delays. The certification of emission reduction projects and the sale of carbon credits remain at negligible levels.
“The DRC is still far behind,” he regrets. “Countries that have really invested in carbon projects, in Africa or elsewhere, have achieved real results. We haven’t even managed to structure our carbon market yet.”
According to Mr. Nyamwoga, the Congolese government must take urgent measures to stimulate the production of carbon assets by the private sector, which is the only entity capable of creating a real market. Currently, local initiatives for emission reduction projects are scattered and poorly funded, making the activation of the carbon market practically impossible.
“It is absolutely necessary to encourage the private sector to invest in concrete emission reduction projects. The government must establish incentive mechanisms and strategies to make these projects attractive,” he argues. “Without a sufficient supply of carbon assets, there will be no demand, and thus no market.”
While the assessment is harsh, solutions do exist, according to the expert. The first solution is to structure internal regulation and establish effective tools for monitoring the actions of the various market players to ensure transparency and proper management of projects. The second key solution is to encourage the creation of carbon projects through incentive policies. The country must not only attract investors but also strengthen the involvement of the private sector in implementing its NDC.
Mr. Nyamwoga urges Congolese authorities to break free from their inertia and recognize the climate emergency. The DRC cannot afford to miss another opportunity to integrate into the global carbon markets, especially since these mechanisms represent a crucial financial lever for the country’s sustainable development.
“Congo cannot just sign agreements. It must move to concrete action,” he concludes. “We must structure our efforts, attract investments, and finally implement a genuine climate strategy.”
With its vast biodiversity, tropical forests, and natural resources, the DRC has a unique potential to contribute to the fight against climate change. But for this commitment to be effective, the country must overcome challenges related to financing, sector structuring, and private sector involvement. Only a concerted effort will allow the DRC to seize this historic opportunity.
By Franck Zongwe Lukama
