A worker in a Sodefor workers' complex in the Democratic Republic of Congo. More than 21 million hectares of rainforest are currently allocated to the logging industry. Most of DRC’s timber is exported to Europe, with France and Belgium currently the largest importers. Expansion of logging into remaining areas of intact forests in the DRC will destroy globally critical carbon reserves and impact biodiversity. Beyond environmental impacts, logging in the region exacerbates poverty and leads to social conflicts. Logging is viewed by the World Bank and other donors as a way to alleviate poverty and promote economic development.