Nature-Based Carbon in the Congo Basin - Securing Premium Value: The Congo Basin's High-Integrity Carbon and the Road to Equitable Article 6 Finance

The Congo Basin, globally recognized as the "second lung of the planet" for its vital ecological role, is the world's most effective tropical carbon sink, absorbing vast amounts of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Protecting this massive natural asset is now more urgent than ever. As forest finance stands at the core of this COP, there is a global spotlight on the critical need for dedicated, long-term funding mechanisms.

A major step was taken through initiatives like the just launched Belém Call for the Forests of the Congo Basin, led by France and Gabon and backed by Germany, Norway, Belgium, and Britain, which aims to safeguard the region’s forests by mobilizing more than $2.5 billion over the next five years. Other critical efforts, such as the Fonds Bleu pour le Bassin du Congo (Blue Fund)”, are also working to drive investment toward these crucial ecosystems.

While these commitments are significant, we need much more finance to meet the colossal challenge of protecting the Basin. Carbon markets can play a key role by unlocking private- sector capital and providing a sustainable financial stream for conservation efforts based on the forest's verifiable climate value. However, Congo Basin countries are currently not taking full advantage of this opportunity to leverage the immense value of their forests in global carbon finance mechanisms, representing a missed chance for sustainable development and long-term forest safeguarding.

At COP30, Sylvera, UNDP, and the Government of the Republic of Congo, in partnership with the Congo Basin Climate Commission (CBCC), will convene a high-level dialogue on how to scale high-integrity, nature-based climate action across the region.

This event will bring together policymakers, investors, scientists, and development partners to explore how data transparency, emerging technologies, and robust governance can transform the Congo Basin into a model for sustainable investment in nature.