. . of forest cover. The slight decrease in
fo-biomass. . . . , ,
rest areas in some countries in the sub-re gion (Graph 2.1) can be partially attributed to sensitivity to environmental issues, and to taking account of Millennium development targets in their growth and development strategy.
Graph 2.1: Percentage of forest areas Source: ECASRO/CA, from data UNDS, 2012
The reductionof forest areas compelled leaders of countries of central Africa to quickly put in place policies and programs for reforestation and sustai nable forest management. A variety of institutions exist but their strengthe ning and effectiveness are more relevant than ever.
On emissions of carbon dioxide per capita, they represent the total amount of carbon dioxide emitted by a country as a result of human activities (pro duction and consumption) divided by the population.
The indicator is used to assess the extent to which countries that have rati fied the Montreal Protocol fulfil their commitments to reduce CO2emis-sions and are progress towards the phasing out consumption of CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons). Emissions of carbon dioxide are largely a byproduct of the production and consumption of energy.
The phasing out of ozone layer depletingsubstances and replacing them with less harmful substances is intended to ensure recovery of the ozone layer.
Emissions of carbon dioxide per capita is calculated by dividing the emis sions of carbon dioxide bv the number of inhabitants of the country. They
The Economies of Central Africa - 2013
Regarding emissions of carbon dioxide, data relating to trends are more re liable comparisons of data between countries. As for the depletion of the
ozone layer, the indicator only provides partial information on current trends in the depletion of the ozone layer, because the ecosystem response is known with delay.
In terms of carbon dioxideemissions, al though Africa emits relatively little gas compared to other regions of the world, it is affected by climate change.
However, the rate of CO2 emissions in countries such as Angola has in creased steadily since the 1990s to 200926 due to increased oil production.
In terms of carbon dioxideemis sions, although Africa emits relati vely little gas compared to other regions of the world, it is affected by climate change.
S S 8
Graph 2.2: Emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), in thousands of metric tonnes
Source: ECASRO/AC, from data UNDS. 2012
In other central African countries, CO2 emissions have remained relatively stable on the whole, except in Equatorial Guinea where there was a signi ficant increase in CO2 emissions fromnearly 0 to over 5000 metric tonnes between 2000 and 2003, when the country began operating these oil fields.
This trend was stable since the year 2005.
On consumption of ozone depleting substances, most central African coun tries are on track. This indicator reflects willingness of countries to comply with the Montreal Protocol of 1987, which requires countries to limit the consumption of hydro-chlorofluorocarbons by 1 January 2013 in order to achieve a reduction in their consumption by 10% by 1 January 2015.
2OOO 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Graph 2.3: Consumption of ozone depleting substances in metnctons of ozone depletion potential Source. ECA-SROCA, from data UNDS, 2012
Moreover, the year 2012 marks the 25th anniversary of the Montreal Pro tocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. Many achievements, particularly a reduction of more than 98% of the consumption of substances that deplete the ozone layer, are being celebrated as the Montreal Protocol has significantly contributed to the protection of the global climate system.
Central Africa is well on track in this logic because it has been observed since 2000 that there is a very significant reduction of ozone depleting
subs-The Economies of Central Africa - 2013
Section 2 - Reduce biodiversity loss, achieving, by 2010, a significant reduction in the rate of loss
This section examines the situation of the target through the following indicators: the proportion of protected areas to conserve biodiversity, pro tection of land and marine protected areas.
According to the Millennium Declaration, the proportion of protected areas to conserve biodiversity in relation to the total surface area is protected at the national level as a percentage ofthe total area of a country. A protected area is the area of land and / or sea especially dedicated to the protection and conservation of biological diversity and of natural and associated cul tural resources, and managed through effective means, legal or otherwise.
Protection of marine and landl protected areas is an indicator of the level of protection of biodiversity. In addition to helping to maintain biodiversity, protected areas have become places of great interest from the economic and social point of view. They enhance the livelihoods of the population, protect watersheds against erosion, harbor invaluable genetic resources, and offer favorable conditionsfor the development of the tourism industry and leisure sector, basic science resources, research, education and development of cultural values and other intangible values.
The area of land and marine protected areas is summed up and expressed as a percentage of the total area (composed of land areas and the territoria-lareaof thesea) of the country. The percentage shows the effects of various measures to strengthen their extent. However, declaring a protected area is no guarantee that protection measures are effectively implemented.
The indicator measures the willingness of governments to protect biodiver sity. It does not measure the effectiveness of policy instruments used to re duce biodiversity loss. The effectiveness ultimately depends on a variety of factors and management applications that the indicator does not take into account.
The indicator does not provide information on non-designated protected areas, but may also be important for the conservation of biodiversity. The numbers do not also apply to either protected areas under local or provincial legislation. A quantified measurementhas not been adopted for this indica tor.
The table shows the development of protected areas in central Africa. In general, they have increased substan
tially27. From 1990 to 2010, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea have tripled the size of protected areas while those of Congo have almost doubled. Their efforts were most evident in the 2000s. Cameroon has made substantial progress while Burundi has
only improved marginally. For both countries, the development took place during the period 1990 to 2000.
From 1990 to 2010, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea have tripled the size of protected areas while those of Congo have almost doubled.
Table 2.1: Land and marine areas protected from the total land area (%) Source; CEA-BSFVAC, from data UNDS, July 3012
27. Data from Angola, Central African Republic, Sao Tome and Principe, DRC and Chad have not been considered. These countries have the same percentage for all the years from 1990 to 2010. This is more
The Economies of Central Africa - 2013
Section 3: Halve, by 2015, the proportion of the population without sustainable access to safe drinking water
and basic sanitation.
This section examines the situation of the target through the following indicators: the proportion of protected areas to conserve biodiversity, pro tection of land and marine protected areas.
According to the Millennium Declaration, the proportion of protected areas to conserve biodiversity in relation to the total surface area is protected at the national level as a percentage ofthe total area of a country. A protected area is the area of land and / or sea especially dedicated to the protection and conservation of biological diversity and of natural and associated cul tural resources, and managed through effective means, legal or otherwise.
Protection of marine and landl protected areas is an indicator of the level ofprotection ofbiodiversity. In addition to helping to maintain biodiversity, protected areas have become places of great interest from the economic and social point of view. They enhance the livelihoods of the population, protect watersheds against erosion, harbor invaluable genetic resources, and offer fa vorable conditionsfor the development of the tourism industry and leisure sector, Despite huge disparities
in the sub-region, more than 70%
of the population use improved