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DRC Approves Oil Drilling in Endangered Habitats, Risking Climate Catastrophe
21 Aug
Summary
- DRC greenlights 52 oil blocks in critical habitats for endangered species
- 64% of the area is intact tropical rainforest, home to 39 million people
- Cuvette Centrale peatlands store 30 gigatons of carbon, at risk of degradation
In a concerning move, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has approved a new licensing round for 52 oil blocks, putting critical habitats and the global climate at risk. As of August 21st, 2025, the oil development threatens to release billions of tons of carbon and upend the lives of millions of people who rely on the forests for their survival.
Mapping and analysis have revealed that 64% of the area set aside for oil blocks is an intact tropical rainforest, home to endangered lowland gorillas and bonobos. The oil blocks also threaten the Cuvette Centrale, the largest tropical peatland complex in the world, which stores an estimated 30 gigatons of carbon. Degradation of these peatlands could seriously undermine their ability to absorb heat-trapping gases, contributing to more intense extreme weather, food insecurity, and disease spread.
The oil development also poses a grave threat to the livelihoods and culture of 39 million people who rely on the forests for their survival. More than 70% of the Kivu-Kinshasa Green Corridor, a critical habitat, is also in the crosshairs. Experts warn that no credible company would bid for oil in the DRC's forests and peatlands, as the environmental and social costs would likely outweigh any potential commercial viability.
