As the world looks ahead to the upcoming COP30 in Belem, Brazil, ironically, huge swathes of the rainforest have been cleared for roads for the world’s largest climate summit. Held from 10 to 21 November 2025, thousands of delegates, activists, and civil society representatives will descend upon Belem, a region beset by growing deforestation from agriculture, cattle grazing, illegal logging, and mining activities. Rivers and water sources continue to be poisoned by toxic pollution from these destructive activities.   

The Amazon Basin comprised of 9 countries (Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela) and long hailed as the “lungs of the world” is rapidly being decimated by corporate interests, agribusiness, and fossil fuel deniers – grabbing up large tracts of land and other natural resources. “We want the oil because it will still be around for a long time. We need to use it to fund our energy transition, which will require a lot of money,” claims President Lula who has now also opened the door to offshore oil drilling by multinationals like Chevron and Exxon, among others. 

The Amazon’s rich biodiversity, unique ecosystems and its indigenous communities are left devastated and struggling to survive. Far from being the carbon sink of the planet, absorbing carbon dioxide and mitigating global weather patterns impacted by the climate crisis, the Amazon is under growing threat.  

Global attention is now turning to the planet’s other most critical ecosystem – Africa’s Congo Basin. Often called the “second lung of the planet,” this vast rainforest is not just a regional resource; it is a global lifeline. Yet, like the Amazon, it is under increasing threat by rapacious global demand for its vast mineral wealth, from cobalt and coltan used in technology like cell phones and laptops to tantalum and diamonds which are often conflict minerals. 

The Congo Basin’s Role in Climate and Biodiversity 

Covering 3.7 million square kilometres, the Congo Basin spans six countries including Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon, with the DRC at its heart. It is home to great biological diversity with 70% of Africa’s rainforest containing over 10,000 plant species (30% endemic) and key endangered species like forest elephants, mountain gorillas, and bonobos.  

The Congo River is the second largest river in Africa sustaining communities and functioning as a vital waterway. While the river is a source of life, it also reflects the challenges facing the region. Indigenous communities and populations living near mining zones face increasing threats to their health, land, and cultural survival. In many parts of the basin, mining operations both industrial and artisanal pollute rivers with mercury and other toxic substances, contaminating drinking water and destroying aquatic life. Entire villages are displaced to make way for extractive projects, often without consultation or compensation.   

Most critically, the Congo Basin absorbs over 1.2 billion tons of CO₂ each year – a natural carbon sink that helps regulate the world’s climate. Its river system, wetlands, and rain patterns also sustain over 75 million people, and shape rainfall across much of Africa. 

A Human and Cultural Treasure 

More than 250 ethnic groups, including Indigenous peoples like the Batwa and Baka, rely on the forest for their livelihoods, medicine, and spiritual traditions. Yet, their role in environmental protection is often overlooked, particularly when it comes to women, who are at the frontline of gathering food, maintaining biodiversity, and passing down ecological and indigenous knowledge. 

Threats Facing the Congo Basin 

The construction of the Inga 3 dam on the Congo River is likely to alter the river’s natural flow, impacting its ecology and biodiversity. By diverting water for hydroelectric generation, the project could disrupt fish migration patterns, reduce sediment transport, and affect downstream ecosystems that depend on seasonal flooding. These changes may threaten aquatic habitats and the livelihoods of communities relying on the river’s natural cycles. Careful environmental management will be essential to minimise long-term harm to the river’s health. 

Despite its critical role, the Congo Basin faces increasing threats like deforestation from logging, industrial agriculture, and infrastructure, illegal mining and wildlife trade, oil and gas exploration, weak enforcement of conservation laws to the marginalisation of Indigenous communities particularly women’s rights. The DRC government has now opened bids for oil and gas drilling in ecologically sensitive forest areas and peatlands. 

Against the backdrop of political instability in the region marred by ongoing conflict in the DRC, military groups fight for territory and natural resources, resulting in a humanitarian crisis spilling into neighbouring countries. This rampant and often violent resource extraction continues to fuel human rights abuses and serve geopolitical interests. Weak governance, corruption, and armed conflicts have led to limited enforcement of environmental protections. In this fragile context, Indigenous peoples and marginalised groups are left especially vulnerable. For them, the Congo River is not only a vital resource, it is a frontline in the fight for environmental justice, Indigenous rights, and long-term peace.   

If these threats continue unchecked and unabated, the consequences will be felt worldwide through accelerated climate change, biodiversity loss, water scarcity, and increased regional instability. 

The USA-DRC Mineral Deal: A Double-Edged Sword? 

Countries and transnational corporations from China, the United States, the European Union, South Korea, and India are engaged in strategic competition to secure long-term access to Congo’s mineral resources. 

Recently, the United States signed a critical minerals agreement with the DRC to secure access to cobalt, copper, and other key resources needed for clean energy technologies. While this deal aims to reduce dependence on Chinese supply chains, it raises serious concerns about environmental degradation, exploitation of local communities and the potential for increased deforestation and mining-related conflict. 

Balancing green energy demands with ethical, sustainable resource management is crucial. Without proper safeguards, the “solution” to climate change could end up fuelling new crises in the Congo Basin and the region. 

Why the World Must Act Now! 

The Amazon and Congo Basins are vital global natural resources that affect the existence of all humans, plants, and animals. Protecting it is not just Africa’s responsibility; it is a global one. As the world moves toward COP30, leaders must prioritise community-led conservation, respect for Indigenous land rights, sustainable development practices and investment in climate finance that includes women and local communities. 

The Congo Basin is not just about trees it is about the future of life on Earth. Its preservation is non-negotiable.