Equatorial Guinea Forest Ecosystem Accounts and Policy Recommendations : Ecosystem Extent, Condition, Services, and Asset Accounts 2000-2020

Overview & Synopsis

Equatorial Guinea’s forests are among the nation’s most valuable natural assets. Spanning nearly 2.1 million hectares—over three-quarters of the national territory across both the mainland and island regions—they form the ecological backbone of the country. These forests sustain biodiversity, underpin rural livelihoods, and regulate the regional climate. As part of the Congo Basin, they also play a vital role in global climate regulation, storing an estimated 882 million tons of carbon in 2020— equivalent to around 10 percent of annual global CO₂ emissions from the energy sector. This report presents the first comprehensive forest ecosystem accounts for Equatorial Guinea, developed in line with the internationally recognized framework and the best available data from 2000 to 2020. The accounts provide an integrated view of forest extent, condition, ecosystem services, and asset values, offering a robust evidence base to guide sustainable land-use planning, investment prioritization, and environmental governance.