DR Congo to Auction Oil Rights

The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo says licensing rights for 27 oil and gas blocks are going up for auction.

The licensing would open parts of the world’s second-biggest rainforest to drilling.

Environmental Impact
Environmentalists say the development could release billions of tons of carbon into the atmosphere, adding to the global climate crisis.

However, the Congolese government says it needs to access revenues to improve living standards in one of the world’s poorest countries.

It accuses richer governments that have powered their development with fossil fuels of hypocrisy.

BBC/CO