Reports & Analysis
DRC Finalizes Series of Studies on Drivers of Deforestation
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) recently finalized a series of five studies undertaken on the causes of deforestation and forest degradation, as part of the country's REDD+ preparation process.
These studies, conducted in 2011-2012, have enabled the DRC to reach a national consensus on the main drivers of deforestation in the country. Previous to this, various stakeholders had very different understandings about what these drivers were. The studies are therefore a very important step in advancing REDD+ efforts in the country.
The studies were done by various actors, including civil society from the DRC, FAO, Catholic University of Louvain and UNEP. Various tools and methodologies were used to conduct these studies, including focus groups, remote sensing and statistical analysis. Their results have been compared in order to insure the reliability of the final conclusions.
Study 1: Summary report presenting and comparing results from the various studies undertaken on the causes of deforestation and forest degradation in the DRC
Conducted by: UN-REDD Programme/FAO
Study 2: Qualitative study of the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation in the DRC
Conducted by: DRC civil society, UN-REDD Programme/FAO
Study 3: Quantitative study of the variables explaining deforestation and forest degradation in the DRC: data from remote sensing, and historical and statistical analysis
Conducted by: Catholic University of Louvain, UN-REDD Programme
Study 4: Quantitative study of the variables explaining deforestation and forest degradation in the DRC: data from the field
Conducted by: DRC civil society, UN-REDD Programme
Study 5: Qualitative study of the causes and agents of deforestation and forest degradation in a post-conflict DRC
Conducted by: UNEP