GLA - Just Energy Transition, the greater Virunga landscape and the Ituri landscape in DRC

Landscapes rich in valuable natural resources, such as oil, forested and associated water-based ecosystems (lakes, mangroves) are at risk of degradation and pollution by exploration and exploitation of oil, through deforestation for installations/ pipelines, oil spills, and gas flaring. Of particular concern is potential damage to national reserves/parks, and spawning grounds of fish in the Delta and along the shores of Lake Albert and Lake Edward. Also, governance of oil resources is characterized by high degrees of inequality. Especially communities/ordinary citizens lack voice in decision-making about oil exploration and exploitation plans and benefit sharing. On the other end of the spectrum, geo-political interests also influence oil resource governance in the focus countries. Furthermore, violations of local, national and international best practices on human and environmental rights are widespread and corporate accountability is generally weak. In some cases regulations are absent, conflicting or lack harmonization, but mostly a lack of will (influenced by corruption), weak enforcement capacities on behalf of relevant state agencies, and a lack of accountability mechanisms in the home countries of multinationals are noted. Of specific concern are the transboundary challenges related to the management of DR Congo-Uganda oil reserves because it increases the risk of conflict in the region. In spite of (prospected) oil production and export, millions of people in the focus countries have no access to energy and mostly rely on fuel wood and charcoal for cooking. This constitutes a massive threat to deforestation and underlines the urgency for a transition towards renewable sources of energy, in particular on community level. But as governments in the focus countries predominantly appreciate the economic benefits of oil exploitation, a discussion around long-term costs and benefits of oil is weakly embedded in broader reflection and agenda setting on renewable energy sources, inclusive and just energy transition, and other values (ex. cultural values, livelihoods, biodiversity, water, tourism) the oil-rich landscapes offer. This links on global level with reflections on unsustainable nature of fossil fuels in meeting worldwide demand for energy within the limited carbon budget defined by the worldwide ambition to keep climate change under two degrees global warming.