Eni Partners with Côte d’Ivoire to Restore 155,000 Hectares of Forests

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• Preservation Focus: Eni and Côte d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Water and Forests aim to conserve remaining forest areas and biodiversity, covering 14 forests across 155,000 hectares.
• Restoration Commitment: The project plans to restore 130,000 hectares by planting 12 million local trees, integrating agro-forestry practices to benefit local farming communities.
• Decarbonization Alignment: The initiative supports Côte d’Ivoire’s National Development Plans and Eni’s goal of achieving net-zero upstream emissions in its Baleine development.

Strategic Partnership for Forest Conservation

Eni has signed a landmark agreement with Côte d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Water and Forests to protect and restore 14 forests across a total area of 155,000 hectares. This initiative addresses the alarming loss of approximately 90% of the country’s forest cover over the past century.

The project, with an initial 20-year duration, reflects a collaborative approach involving local stakeholders and institutions. According to Eni, the feasibility study conducted in September 2022 helped identify the project areas in the Lagunes and Comoé regions in close consultation with local authorities.

Two-Pronged Approach

1. Conservation Efforts:
   The first component of the project emphasizes the preservation of remaining forests and biodiversity. It aims to reduce risks of deforestation, fires, and poaching through enhanced control measures, community awareness, and training programs.”This project reflects a shared commitment to safeguarding Côte d’Ivoire’s forest heritage while engaging local communities as active partners in this transformative initiative,” said an Eni representative.
2. Forest Restoration:
   The second component involves restoring 130,000 hectares of degraded forest land. Eni plans to plant 12 million trees of local species, coupled with agro-forestry initiatives designed to promote sustainable farming and improve agricultural productivity.”Agro-forestry practices integrated into the project will not only restore forests but also enhance the livelihoods of local farming communities,” noted the Ministry of Water and Forests.

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Supporting National and Global Goals

This partnership aligns with Côte d’Ivoire’s National Development Plans and its broader strategy to combat deforestation and reduce emissions. For Eni, it marks a significant step toward achieving net-zero upstream emissions (Scope 1 and 2) in the Baleine development.

By addressing both environmental restoration and community well-being, the initiative highlights the synergy between sustainable development and corporate decarbonization strategies.

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