UK cuts £90 million Congo Basin rainforest fund by nearly 80%, raising concerns for conservation
The United Kingdom has reduced its Congo Basin Forest Action Programme budget from £90 million to £818.8 million, a cut of nearly 80% that has raised concerns about the future of forest conservation in Central Africa.
The programme was designed to support forest protection and sustainable land management, including community forestry and initiatives to reduce forest loss. The funding reduction comes amid broader reductions in the UK international aid budget and has put existing conservation commitments under pressure.
Lee White, the former Gabonese environment minister and conservationist, has criticised the cuts, warning that they risk undermining confidence in international conservation partnerships. Approximately £15 million of the revised budget has already been spent, raising questions about how much of the programme can deliver against its original goals.
The Congo Basin is the world’s second-largest rainforest region and a vital global carbon sink. Funding cuts threaten support for forest communities, biodiversity and climate goals, raising broader questions about how international commitments to rainforest conservation will be fulfilled.
Originally Published by The Times
