Paris deal could 'displace millions'

The Paris climate agreement could make millions of forest dwellers homeless, according to a new analysis. Many developing countries will try to curb carbon emissions by setting aside forested areas as reserves. But experts are worried that creating national parks often involves removing the people who live in these areas. The study indicated designating forest reserves in Liberia and the Democratic Republic of Congo could displace as many as 1.3 million people. With funding from Norway, Liberia has proposed 30% of their forests become protected areas by 2020. ADVERTISEMENT DR Congo, funded by Germany and the Global Environmental Facility, aims to set aside 12-15% of their forested lands. It would be madness, we would waste billions, damage people's lives and you don't get the climate impact you need Andy White, Rights and Resources Initiative Consultants TMP Systems concluded: In Liberia, up to 335,000 forest dwellers could be affected In DR Congo, it could be as many as one million "Governments have targets to expand their protected areas, and now with new climate funding being available the risk is they will use this to expand in a way that doesn't respect local rights," said Andy White, from the Rights and Resources Initiative, the campaign group that sponsored the research. "It could result in the displacement of millions of people." Making matters worse Analysts say that this type of displacement has already happened in sub-Saharan Africa, South East Asia and Latin America, and sometimes caused violent conflict. "I don't think the international community wants to displace rural dwellers in Liberia - but I think if we go about it in the way we are talking about it right now, that is going to be the result," said Constance Teague, from Liberia's Sustainable Development Institute.