Gabon plea to save forests to prevent climate change

21st May 2022 | Source: BBC

Almost 90 per cent of Gabon is covered by tropical woodland

Gabon has called on developed nations to pay for the upkeep of the central African country's mangroves and forests that are helping to absorb the world's excess carbon.

Gabon's Minister for Forests, Seas and Environment, Lee White, said that failing to conserve the dense rainforest of the Congo Basin would mean the world has lost the fight against climate change.

Gabon is one of the most carbon-positive countries in the world, and says it wants to further limit the impact of its extractive industries, including oil and logging.

Almost 90% of Gabon is covered by tropical woodland that is home to endangered species including gorillas, elephants and chimpanzees; its coastline has numerous hump-backed whales.