ACCESS4ALL Group

The Democratic Republic of the Congo strategically used its vast rainforest and significant oil and gas reserves to gain leverage in climate negotiations by signaling that, without adequate climate finance and support, it may be forced to exploit these resources, despite global environmental consequences. By positioning itself as both a critical “carbon sink” nation and a country with development needs, the DRC highlighted the global dependency on its ecosystems while asserting its right to development. Multilateral coordination—through REDD+, collaboration with Brazil and Indonesia in the rainforest coalition, and broader Global South solidarity—strengthened its bargaining power by presenting a unified front and emphasizing collective vulnerability and negotiating strength. This connects strongly to the loss and damage debate, as the DRC framed its position around historical injustice, limited responsibility for emissions, and the need for fair compensation for climate impacts and opportunity costs of conservation. Ethically, the strategy raises complex climate justice questions: while it reflects legitimate demands for equity and financial support, using potential environmental destruction as leverage challenges moral boundaries, yet also exposes the reality that without meaningful finance, vulnerable nations are left with few options.