Lack of Data Hinders Fight Against Environmental Crimes in Angola

Angola faces severe environmental challenges, including prolonged droughts, soil degradation, and floods. The country has signed international commitments to phase out hydrochlorofluorocarbons and cut hydrofluorocarbons. However, a lack of data hinders efforts to combat environmental crimes. Érica Tavares, a 29-year-old environmentalist, co-founded the NGO EcoAngola and has been advocating for forest conservation and youth participation in sustainability debates. Tavares notes that Angola's major challenge is the analysis of nonexistent data and information, making it difficult to conduct a comparative analysis of the environment's state over the past five years. Without reliable data, it is challenging to assess the effectiveness of environmental policies and make informed decisions.