The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is grappling with significant deforestation, as evidenced by the latest fire incident in the Haut-Uele region on January 6, 2025. Over the years, the DRC has seen a worrying trend, with shifting agriculture being the predominant driver of tree cover loss. The data reveals that between 2001 and 2023, shifting agriculture accounted for an overwhelming majority of the tree cover loss, with percentages consistently above 98% annually. Urbanization also contributed to this loss, albeit to a lesser extent.
The cumulative impact on the DRC's tree cover has been substantial. The country has experienced a net loss of over 6 million hectares of tree cover, which constitutes a 3.55% decrease from its original extent. This loss is not only a blow to biodiversity but also to the carbon sequestration potential of the region, with billions of metric tons of CO2 equivalent emissions being released into the atmosphere as a result of these activities.
Explore country profileThe latest fire incident, while seemingly minor with a single alert, is a stark reminder of the ongoing environmental challenges the DRC faces. The incident underscores the need for urgent attention to the drivers of deforestation, particularly shifting agriculture, which continues to dominate as the leading cause of tree cover loss in the country.
