Conserving the Congo Basin

ln the heart of the Congo Basin, the Tri-National Dja-Odzala-Minkebe (TRIDOM) Landscape covers 1O% of the rainforests (178,000 km2) in Cameroon, Gabon and the Republic of Congo. This vast area includes 11 protected areas. It holds the largest elephant population in the Congo Basin (estimated at up to 40,000, but rapidly declining) and harbors rich biodiversity, including western gorillas and central chimpanzees, estimated at up to 140,000. It is an rare treasure for people and wildlife, but it also faces threats like poaching, logging and mining. Conserving this unique landscape is critical for the climate, for biodiversity and for the local communities in the area. It is also key for the sustainable economic development of Cameroon, Gabon and the Republic of Congo.

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Natural Strategies supports the WWF Landscape Finance Lab in mobilizing investments that can conserve the biodiversity in this landscape. Among others, Natural Strategies develops the project concept and design of a high impact REDD+ project that seeks to conserve a biodiversity hotspot and incentivize sustainable agro-forestry.

We also work to: build capacity on sustainable landscape finance, in collaboration with WWF in Cameroon, Gabon and Republic of Congo; develop a TRIDOM sustainable investment strategy; generate other bankable project proposals for investments to reduce deforestation and create community livelihood opportunities; and engage impact investors, corporates and public donors around a joint vision for sustainability at the landscape level.

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We thereby help unlock green finance to protect a global wildlife hotspot that sustains communities, biodiversity and the climate alike.