Plan to drain Congo peat bog for oil could release vast amount of carbon

Drilling in one of the greatest carbon sinks on the planet could release greenhouse gases equivalent to Japan's annual emissions, experts warn

The world's largest tropical peatlands could be destroyed if plans go ahead to drill for oil under the Congo basin, according to an investigation that suggests draining the area would release the same amount of carbon dioxide as Japan emits annually.

Preserving the Congo's Cuvette Centrale peatlands, which are the size of England and store 30bn tonnes of carbon, is "absolutely essential" if there is any hope of meeting Paris climate agreement goals, scientists warn.