Congo Basin, Part 5: Where's the money for Congo Basin conservation?

<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">How much does it cost to protect the Congo Rainforest? The world's second-largest rainforest provides critical ecological services that millions of people and myriad species rely on. It is also a massive carbon sink, storing tens of billions of tons of carbon in its trees, soils and peatlands.</p> <p>One would think protecting it would be an international priority, and yet funding commitments have historically struggled to adequately finance forest protection in the region. Experts say many commitments end before funding can be fully disbursed, and efforts rarely translate to a better life for local communities who live in these forests.</p> <p>For episode five of Mongabay Explores the Congo Basin, we speak with experts who explain the challenges of financing forest protection in the region and what's needed to address gap: <strong>Paolo Cerutti</strong>, senior scientist and DRC unit head at the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR-ICRAF); <strong>Chadrack Kafuti</strong> at Ghent University; <strong>Wahida Patwa Patwa-Shah</strong>, senior regional technical specialist, UNDP Climate Hub; and <strong>Lee White</strong>, minister of water, forests, the sea and environment in Gabon.</p> <p>If you missed the first four episodes of this podcast series, please subscribe to Mongabay Explores wherever you get your podcasts from, or click on the links below: </p> <p><strong><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href= "https://news.mongabay.com/2023/07/a-just-energy-transition-requires-better-governance-equity-in-the-drc/"> A just energy transition requires better governance & equity in the DRC</a></strong></p> <p><strong><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href= "https://news.mongabay.com/2023/06/big-potential-and-immense-challenges-for-great-ape-conservation-in-the-congo-basin-experts-say/"> Big potential and immense challenges for great ape conservation in the Congo Basin, experts say</a></strong></p> <p><strong><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href= "https://news.mongabay.com/2023/05