Côte d’Ivoire, as a signatory of the Paris Agreement, initially pledged in 2015 to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 28.25% by 2030. In a significant step forward, the nation has now escalated its target, aiming for an unconditional reduction of 30.41%, equivalent to 37 million tonnes of CO2. This renewed commitment highlights the Ivorian government’s resolve to confront climate challenges by revising its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in critical sectors, including energy, waste, agriculture and forestry.
Strategic Development of Carbon Markets
The evolution of carbon markets represents a significant economic opportunity in combating global warming. These markets encourage emission reductions through a cap-and-trade system and are gaining traction among national stakeholders. In the cocoa industry, reducing emissions throughout the value chain offers substantial potential.
Legal and Institutional Framework for Carbon Credits
Recognizing the importance of a structured carbon strategy, IDH has initiated a comprehensive analysis of Côte d’Ivoire’s legal and institutional carbon framework, focusing particularly on agriculture and forestry. This study seeks to pinpoint opportunities for the private sector, especially the cocoa industry, to significantly contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
A workshop held on 24 January 2024, showcased the outcomes of this study to various stakeholders. It also provided a forum for discussing initiatives related to Science Based Targets (SBTi) and Net Zero commitments, highlighting the synergy between national efforts and international standards.
Key Recommendations to Enhance the Carbon Market
The discussions at the workshop generated several critical recommendations for the operationalisation of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement in Côte d’Ivoire:
- Propose diverse scenarios for the carbon market, clarifying the ownership and distribution of carbon credits.
- Establish a platform to facilitate dialogue among stakeholders in the cocoa sector, aiming to harmonise recommendations for the carbon market.
- Coordinate the efforts of cocoa companies to develop coherent proposals before submitting them to the government.
- Clearly outline the procedures for allocating carbon credits among producers, promoters, and the government.
Towards a framework favourable to climate change mitigation
These initiatives and recommendations mark a decisive step for Côte d’Ivoire’s quest for a resilient, environmentally friendly economy. By actively engaging the private sector, particularly in the cocoa sector, the Ivorian government is strengthening its capacity to achieve ambitious emission reduction targets, while supporting sustainable development and economic inclusion.