UN: Djibouti, Malawi, Somalia, South Sudan and Zambia Among Most Threatened by Oil and Gas
A foresight study commissioned by the UN Environment Programme – World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) highlights locations where current and future oil and gas development could threaten African biodiversity. The report identifies specific countries and operations where “more robust impact avoidance and mitigation strategies” are needed, and potential risks for investment portfolios within the finance sector.
The report reviews more than 500 oil and gas companies operating across Africa and assesses the degree to which contract blocks managed by different company types and sizes overlap with areas of biodiversity importance. By juxtaposing the estimated 2,719 onshore and offshore oil and gas contract blocks in Africa (covering more than nine million square kilometers) with a combined data set of more 7,320 protected areas and 1,414 key biodiversity areas (KBAs), the study team finds a 29% overlap between areas of biodiversity importance and the contract blocks.
Countries identified with the highest degree of overlap between areas of biodiversity importance and current oil and gas contract blocks included Djibouti, Malawi, Somalia, South Sudan and Zambia. With regard to future oil and gas activities, Guinea-Bissau, South Africa, Uganda and Zambia were described as “likely to be more threatened” than other countries.
Rhys Thom