Water is more than just a resource — it is a fundamental force that shapes ecosystems and sustains life, connecting landscapes from ridge to reef. In the Congo Basin, water plays a central role in maintaining the health and function of the region’s extensive peatlands. The peatlands in this region are critical  for local livelihoods as well as global climate regulation and biodiversity conservation. They hold enough carbon which, if released, would amount to between 2-3 years of current total global CO₂ emissions. while serving as home to millions of people. Many local communities depend on peatland resources for their livelihoods, including fishing and crocodile farming, accessing clean water, and collecting forest products such as fuelwood, medicine, and timber.  

Peatlands operate within a complex and dynamic hydrological cycle, and they must stay wet to stay intact. Once the water table drops, the peat begins to break down, turning a carbon sink into a carbon source.  When dried out or degraded, they become highly vulnerable to fires, which are especially concerning due to the significant greenhouse gas emissions they can emit.