Protected Areas for Climate Resilience in the Congo Basin: Governance and Policy Ramifications

This book explores how protected areas in the Congo Basin can enhance climate resilience in one of the world’s most vital ecosystems. Drawing on ecological, policy, and governance perspectives, it examines how biodiversity-rich forests contribute to global carbon storage, safeguard water cycles, and sustain millions of people. The chapters cover legal and institutional frameworks, the role of Cameroon’s 2024 Forestry and Wildlife Law, and the links between protected areas and the Sustainable Development Goals. The book also considers how artificial intelligence, carbon markets, and community participation can strengthen conservation outcomes. By analysing challenges such as deforestation, mining, weak governance, and social conflict, it identifies pathways to integrate conservation with sustainable development. This is essential reading for scholars, policymakers, conservation practitioners, and students interested in climate change, biodiversity governance, and sustainable livelihoods. Its regional focus ensures relevance to Africa, while its insights resonate with global debates on resilience and sustainability.