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Congolese forests cover 65% of the total land surface area, 12% of which includes the Congo basin, and are subject to unprecedented
industrial exploitation. Despite an extensive hydrographic network, 90% of the population depends principally on wood
fuel in order to meet its domestic energy requirements. UNDP Congo has supported the national authorities to develop an energy
strategy that would effectively reduce the negative effects of climate change and the sustainable use of forest resources. UNDP
is also leading the coordination efforts in partnership with Société Agricole de Raffinage Industriel du Sucre (SARIS), National
Reforestry Society and local NGOs to mobilize resources for an agro-forestry programme that would provide wood for energy
needs and construction; income from sale of wood products; and reinforce GHG absorptive capacity of forest covers. The principal
beneficiaries of these objectives would be the marginalized populations. 3
Aurelien Agbenonci, Resident Representative
CHEMICALS BIODIVERSITY ENERGY
PORTFOLIO
In the area of climate change, UNDP is assisting the Government to developing a national energy strategy, focusing on reducing the
negative effects of climate change. This process is funded by GEF. To reduce GHG emissions, UNDP is also supporting the country to
integrate alternative technologies to reduce the extremely high reliance on fuel wood for energy needs, currently representing approximately
90% of the population.
To support the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, UNDP is implemented two GEF-funded activities under the development
of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, beginning with capacity building exercises. GEF funding made possible the
purchase of computer hardware, access to the Internet and basic training for project personnel. Assistance was also provided for project
implementation and additional capacity-building assessment on biodiversity evaluation and monitoring programmes, and for
preservation and maintenance of indigenous and local community knowledge.
UNDP is assisting the country’s actions for compliance with the Montreal Protocol through the implementation of the RMP component
on centralized recovery and recycling of CFC-12 comprises. In addition, the country is also part of two regional UNDP programmes
underway in Africa for low-volume consumers – one in the halons sector; the other in methyl bromide Elimination. In addition, UNDP
provides administrative support to programmes implemented by other multilateral agencies and is currently playing a facilitative role
in the development of the POPs National Implementation Plan, implemented by UNIDO.
CONTACTS
Mr. Jean-Felix Issanga – jean-felix.issanga@undp.org
Tel.: 242-81 50 38
Fax: 242-81 16 79, 242-69 99 27
http://mirror.undp.org/congo/Environnement.htm
PARTNERS
Some of our Partners working with
UNDP and the Government in
Republic of Congo
World Bank
BAD
IEPF
1
MDGR 2004; 2 UNDP Congo Questionnaire 2005; 3 http://mirror.undp.org/congo/Environnement.htm
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