Côte d'Ivoire just got $15m to save forests—Here’s what that means
Côte d'Ivoire will channel a new $15 million payment from the World Bank into forest conservation efforts and community development around Taï National Park, under the Emission Reduction Payment Project (PRE).
The funding is part of the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF), a global initiative to reduce carbon emissions through sustainable forest management.
Announced in June, this second disbursement brings Côte d'Ivoire’s total earnings under the carbon contract to $50 million. The country had earlier received $35 million in June 2024 after reducing 7 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions.
The funds are distributed directly to local communities, many of them former poachers now turned forest protectors, through mobile money platforms. According to World Bank Country Director Marie-Chantal Uwanyiligira, this system ensures transparency and traceability.
"Côte d'Ivoire is the first country in Africa and the second in the world, after Vietnam, to execute a carbon contract with the FCPF fully," she added.
Project coordinator Konan Éric explained that payments are based on verified environmental activities, with a new round of beneficiary registration set for July 2025. So far, 12,000 individuals have received funds, with the project aiming to support 30,000 beneficiaries.
Environment Minister Assahoré Konan Jacques emphasised the global relevance of Côte d'Ivoire’s achievement. “This strengthens our climate credibility internationally,” he said, highlighting that the country’s surplus carbon credits, exceeding 10 million tonnes, could serve its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) or be sold on global markets.
Vietnam emerged as a global leader in forest carbon finance, becoming the first country in the Asia-Pacific region, and the first globally under the World Bank’s Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF), to fully implement an Emission Reductions Payment Agreement (ERPA).
In March 2024, the country received a landmark $51.5 million payment for successfully reducing 10.3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions between February 2018 and December 2019. This remains the largest single disbursement ever made under the FCPF program.
The Taï project demonstrates how carbon finance can fund both climate mitigation and poverty reduction, positioning Côte d'Ivoire as a model for carbon credit markets and climate action in Africa.
The World Bank, in its Climate Change Action Plan 2021 – 2025, aims to reduce carbon emissions by supporting countries in developing and implementing strategies to decrease greenhouse gas emissions.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
