Biodiversity in Côte d’Ivoire is among the richest in Western Africa. The country’s total forest area was estimated at over seven million hectares in 2000 but has fallen sharply due to high rates of deforestation and forest degradation suffered in its recent history.
Several policies have been put in place to curb this trend and restore the country’s ecological capital as it makes the transition to a more sustainable model of development.
Initial targeted support assisted the country in preparing the R-PP, endorsed by FCPF and the UN-REDD Programme, leading up to the country’s successful preparation of its National Programme, approved in 2014. Complementary targeted support has been provided on remote sensing and GHG inventory; legal framework for REDD+ implementation; strengthening stakeholder engagement including private sector, feasibility study of a national system of Payments for Environmental Services (PES). The country is also supported through regional targeted support in West Africa on national forest carbon inventories, as well as participating in the regional needs assessment for West Africa. (Section 3.49).
technical and administrative support to the Permanent Executive Secretariat for REDD+ (SEP-REDD), the establishment of an interdepartmental taskforce coordinating activities for the development of the National REDD+ Strategy and the establishment of the FLEGT/REDD+ civil society platform (Ivorian Observatory for Sustainable Management of Natural Resources – OIREN).
In developing the National Strategy, a study on the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation was initiated in 2015. The results of the study will enhance the content of the national strategy being consolidated by the thematic groups (formed by representatives of all stakeholders). Additionally, a note of “Agriculture Zero Deforestation” orientation has been prepared and submitted by the Côte d’Ivoire during the COP21. Support to legal and institutional analyses have identified areas and actions needed to establish a legal framework for REDD+ and an amended version of the Decree establishing the REDD+ National Commission has been drafted to clarify and strengthen roles and responsibilities. Furthermore, a study on developing a system for payments for environmental services (PES) is underway to identify its potential for deployment at national level, in order to allow the implementation of the national strategy. A draft practical guide for PES implementation was prepared in partnership with the European Forest Institute (EFI).
Capacities of institutions in developing GHG inventories were strengthened as well as the use of allometric equations for calculating carbon storage and conversion factors. Capacity on Land Cover Classification systems (LCCS) was also enhanced through training, which provided participants with the practical skills for development of harmonized land use/land cover classification system and led to a number of recommendations, including the production of a land use/land cover classification key and establishment of a Technical Work Group. The reporting year also saw the much needed design of data sharing protocols required between institutions in order to support the design and functionality of the NFMS, as well as the FREL/FRL development. Additionally, the National Bureau of Technical Studies and Development commenced an assessment of forest cover change for the periods 1990 - 2000 - 2013, corresponding to the analysis of the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation.
During 2015, the Programme continued to support the strengthening of national capacities in the preparation of a FREL/FRL. Training on the FREL/FRL concept were carried to the attention of national experts.
Activities relating to safeguards and the SIS will commence in 2016.
The country has evolved quickly with a number of initiatives supporting various REDD+ activities, thus coordination with those initiatives has been of high priority to ensure, for example, sound prioritization and sequencing of activities. During 2015, the NP experienced challenges associated with the delays in the recruitment of the Chief Technical Adviser (CTA) and due to limited technical and human resources. In addressing these delays the Government of Côte d’Ivoire has provided additional resources to the SEP-REDD team to address the capacity gaps. Activities planned for 2015 were reviewed during the year and the work plan adjusted accordingly. Additional contractual arrangements have been explored resulting in some consultants being recruited directly by SEP-REDD.
for payments for environmental services (PES) is underway to identify its potential for deployment at national level, in order to allow the implementation of the national strategy. A draft practical guide for PES implementation was prepared in partnership with the European Forest Institute (EFI).
through training, which provided participants with the practical skills for development of harmonized land use/land cover classification system and led to a number of recommendations, including the production of a land use/land cover classification key and establishment of a Technical Work Group. The reporting year also saw the much needed design of data sharing protocols required between institutions in order to support the design and functionality of the NFMS, as well as the FREL/FRL development. Additionally, the National Bureau of Technical Studies and Development commenced an assessment of forest cover change for the periods 1990 - 2000 - 2013, corresponding to the analysis of the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation.
Safeguards and Safeguards Information System (SIS) Activities relating to safeguards and the SIS will commence in 2016.
Technical capacity enhanced on GIS and remote sensing.
Awareness of REDD+ raised among stakeholders.
Communication plan and FPIC complied with throughout REDD+ implementation.
Stakeholder consultation undertaken to ensure local populations consent to communication and consultation plan.
Coordination strengthened between FLEGT and REDD+ processes.
Communication and consultation plan improved and endorsed by local communities.
Amendments to the Decree on the establishment, organisation and operation of the REDD+ National Commission adopted.
The Decree endorsed by all stakeholders.
Legal framework for the implementation of REDD+, including legal and regulatory frameworks on forest and tenure, analysed.
Actions needed to establish a legal framework enabling REDD+ implementation identified.
REDD+ Investment Scoping Study report prepared identifying, prioritizing and classifying private sector REDD+ investment opportunities, and critical constraints to these investments assessed.
Financial sector potential to invest in REDD+ outlined.
Private sector actors from the forestry, agricultural and financial sectors aware of REDD+ and mobilized.
Action plan with a roadmap and recommendations on actions to undertake for PES implementation.
All key stakeholders mobilized on PES and REDD+.
Objective: Supporting the REDD+ preparation process in Côte d'Ivoire meeting the commitment to the UNFCCC.
Outcome 3: A national forests monitoring system (NFMS) with links to the safeguards information system (SIS) is designed in a transparent manner and the national capcites are operational.