Côte d'Ivoire Net-Zero Nature-Positive Integrated Program

In 50 years, Côte D’Ivoire has lost 90% of its natural forest, due to uncontrolled growth of agricultural land and the use of unsustainable production practices. The country has a tension between its current economic performance and its environmental conservation needs. On the one hand, agriculture and forestry account for 66% of its exports, 27% of its GDP and more than 50% of labor force employment; these results are the product of deforestation, which is mostly attributed to commodities production such as cacao, rubber, palm oil, and cashew. On the other hand, widespread deforestation affects secured access to water, causes biodiversity loss, contributes to GHG emissions, and decreases food security, having a decisive effect on the economy and quality of life. The upcoming implementation of the European directive on zero deforestation is both a challenge to the Ivorian economy and a great opportunity to transform it towards NZNP practices. In this context, the Côte d'Ivoire Net-Zero Nature-Positive Integrated Program objective is to help the country transition to a net-zero emissions and nature-positive trajectory. To this end, through its four components it will address specific barriers to NZNP transformation. The first upstream component will enhance capacity to plan for and set ambitious targets towards NZNP; Components 2 and 3 provide downstream support to sectoral investment planning and to mobilize investments for NZNP; and Component 4 is a collaboration and knowledge sharing component, through which it will contribute to the development of an NZNP monitoring system leveraging the existing MRV system. The project will be implemented in three autonomous districts (Denguélé, Montagne, Vallée Bandama) and five regions (Haut-Sassandra, Nawa, La Mé, Gontougo, Bagoué) of the country. These areas face systemic challenges such as gender inequality, poverty, limited access to basic services, and the rise of violent extremism and illegal immigration. Moreover, environmental risks impacting these districts and regions include land degradation as well as biodiversity loss aggravated by climate change and deforestation linked to cacao production (Nawa Region, Montagne, Vallée-Bandama) and cashew production (Gontougo, Denguélé).