The Republic of Congo has recently faced a new fire incident in the Plateaux region, adding to its ongoing environmental challenges. Over the past two decades, the country has experienced significant tree cover loss primarily due to shifting agriculture, which has been the dominant driver, accounting for the vast majority of the loss. Urbanization and forestry have also contributed, though to a much lesser extent.
The analysis of historical data reveals a fluctuating but overall increasing trend in tree cover loss, with a notable spike in 2016. Despite some gains in tree cover, the net loss remains substantial, with a net change of -331,681.56 hectares, indicating a -1.38% change in tree cover over the years.
Explore country profileThe cumulative impact of these losses has been profound, with millions of metric tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions released into the atmosphere, exacerbating the global climate crisis. The latest fire alert, although isolated, underscores the ongoing vulnerability of the Republic of Congo's forests and highlights the need for continued vigilance and sustainable management practices to protect these vital ecosystems.
