Cameroon - Forest Ecosystem Accounts and Policy Recommendations

Overview & Synopsis

Cameroon’s forests are among Central Africa’s most extensive and ecologically diverse natural assets, a vital part of the Congo Basin, the world’s second-largest tropical rainforest. The forests deliver vital domestic benefits, fuelwood, timber, bushmeat, sediment retention, and nature-based tourism, contributing directly to livelihoods and the national economy. In 2020, Cameroon’s forests stored over 12.2 billion tons of carbon, making them a critical component of global climate regulation. According to the country report, the total annual value of forest ecosystem services increased from US 65 billion dollars in 2000 to US 97.3 billion dollars in 2020, driven largely by their carbon retention capacity. Over the same period, the total asset value of forests nearly doubled from US 1.27 trillion dollars to US 2.09 trillion dollars, with over 90 percent of this value linked to global climate regulation. Yet, Cameroon captured only about US 1.15 billion dollars domestically from these services in 2020, highlighting the need for equitable mechanisms to reward countries for providing global public goods. Without adequate policy frameworks, pressures from agricultural expansion, infrastructure development, and urban growth are increasing, with forest loss accelerating from 259,000 hectares in 2000–2010 to 434,000 hectares in 2010–2020. Cameroon’s forests remain a strategic asset for sustainable and inclusive growth. By embedding ecosystem values into national statistics and policy frameworks, the country can make informed decisions that balance economic development with long-term conservation, providing a foundation for accessing performance-based climate and biodiversity finance. These forest accounts were developed for the first time for Cameroon.