Wake Up and Smell the CAFI?

The Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI) was signed at Cop26 in Glasgow (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/apr/18/lawless-logging-in-drc-raises-concerns-over-500m-forests-deal-signed-by-boris-johnson-aoe). CAFI is a 10 year, agreement for European nations to pay (£200m but rising to around £500m, in total) for the protection of high value forests and peatlands in Africa's Congo Basin. The initiative is, of course, designed to help counter the effects of global climate breakdown. Environmental Groups have been, however, deeply concerned to read a report from Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) government. That DRC report admits that six, successive ministers illegally allocated at least 18 logging concessions in the protected area. Consequently, lawless logging and corrupt officials are nullifying the intended carbon-sequestering actions of CAFI. Providing financial support for 'conservation' is of no real benefit (except boosting bribes), if agreements are not enforced. Initiatives, like CAFI, need to be very carefully monitored and penalties put in place.