WASHINGTON DC (August 10, 2022) — On the back of their face-to-face meeting in Kinshasa, Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Vice Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Christophe Lutundula, announced a formal working group to protect forests and peatlands. The DRC is currently exploring a plan to auction off 26 oil blocks and 3 gas blocks, a move that would condemn the country and its rich biodiversity to irreversible environmental destruction.
In response to the announcement, Irene Wabiwa Betoko, International Project Lead for the Congo Basin forest at Greenpeace Africa said, “No new fossil fuel project is compatible with a 1.5 degree world. You cannot extract oil from peatlands and protected areas while claiming to be a “solution country” for the climate crisis. We stand with the local communities who oppose the destruction of their lands.”
Head of Forests at GPUSA, Diana Ruiz said, “The Biden Administration needs to understand that fossil fuel expansion and all forms of extractive industries will only move the world toward a climate collapse. It would be egregious to permit any form of extraction on carbon-rich peatlands. Protecting peatlands is essential to protecting human rights and combating climate change.”
Contacts: Tal Harris, International Communications Coordinator, Greenpeace Africa: [email protected]
Greenpeace Africa Press Desk: [email protected]
