The Economic Value of Virunga National Park - World Wildlife Fund

WWFhas launched a campaign to raise awareness of the risksassociated with oil development in Virunga National Park(Virunga), a World Heritage Site. As part of the campaign,WWF commissioned Dalberg Global Development Advisors to studyVirunga’s current and potential social and economic value and how thesecould be impacted by oil development.Dalberg consulted local and international stakeholders in Virunga tounderstand the value of the park. Dalberg also interviewed an oil companythat has been granted an oil concession within the borders of the park. Morethan 50 stakeholders have contributed to this report, including:● 20 stakeholders from local communities in and around Virunga● 12 stakeholders from WWF● 12 stakeholders from other local and international NGOs● 2 stakeholders from international organizations● 3 stakeholders from local and international universities● 4 stakeholders from the private sector, including an oil company thathas been granted an oil concessionMORE THAN 50STAKEHOLDERSHAVE CONTRIBUTEDTO THIS REPORTThis report starts with a short overview of the park and the background of theoil concessions, followed by two main parts. Firstly, it explores the risks thatare associated with developing oil in Virunga based on experiences in otherparts of the world. Secondly, it identifies the current and potential value of thepark in a situation of sustainable management of its resources. At the end ofthe report, it draws conclusions for consideration by all stakeholders with aninterest in the park.This report would not have been possible without the continued support ofthe following institutions, listed in alphabetic order: Commission on NaturalResources of the DRC Bishops’ Conference, Fauna & Flora International,Frankfurt Zoological Society, Global Witness, International Council on Miningand Metals, International Crisis Group, International Gorilla ConservationProgramme, International Union for Conservation of Nature, LondonZoological Society, NGO ADEV, Ruwenzori University, United NationsEducational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), University ofQueensland, Wildlife Conservation Society, and WWF.14 The Economic Value of Virunga National Park