The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has sparked global concern after announcing the auction of oil exploration blocks deep within the Congo Basin rainforest — one of the planet’s most critical biodiversity hotspots and a key defense against climate change.
The proposed drilling areas include parts of peatlands that store vast amounts of carbon, which scientists warn could be released into the atmosphere if disturbed. Environmentalists say the move could trigger an ecological disaster, accelerating global warming and destroying habitats for countless species, including endangered gorillas, forest elephants, and rare birds.
Government officials in Kinshasa argue that oil development is vital for the nation’s economic growth, citing potential revenues in the billions. “We have the right to benefit from our natural resources,” said a DRC energy ministry spokesperson, insisting that the country will enforce strict environmental regulations.
However, conservation groups and climate scientists warn that oil drilling in the Congo Basin could undermine global climate goals, including commitments made at the 2015 Paris Agreement. The forest’s peatlands alone store an estimated 30 billion metric tons of carbon — the equivalent of three years’ worth of global fossil fuel emissions.
The auction has drawn criticism from the United Nations, Greenpeace, and climate activists worldwide, who are urging the DRC to invest in renewable energy and sustainable industries instead.
With the world already facing record-breaking heatwaves, wildfires, and floods in 2025, experts warn that losing one of Earth’s largest carbon sinks could have irreversible consequences.