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.

Côte d'Ivoire became a UN-REDD Programme partner country in June 2011 and has developed a REDD+ Readiness Plan following a participatory approach. The plan, which sets a roadmap for the national REDD+ process, will deliver the following components:

• Engaging stakeholders in REDD+
• Carrying out in-depth analysis of drivers of deforestation
• Assessing REDD+ multiple benefits
• Building the national REDD+ strategy, including political dialogue
• Reviewing financial options for REDD+, which will result in the design and setup of a National REDD+ Fund
• Defining a preliminary REDD+ reference level
• Building a National Forest Monitoring System (NFMS)
• Designing a safeguard information system

Progress against the Warsaw Framework for REDD+

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).

National REDD+ Strategy/Action Plan
In 2015, coordination of REDD+ activities and stakeholder engagement has been strengthened with the establishment and operationalization of the national steering committee,
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).

National Forest Monitoring System (NFMS)
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.

Forest Reference Emission Level / Forest Reference Level (FREL/FRL)
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.

Safeguards and Safeguards Information System (SIS)
Activities relating to safeguards and the SIS will commence in 2016.

Challenges and Solutions
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.

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).

National Forest Monitoring System (NFMS)

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.

Forest Reference Emission Level / Forest Reference Level (FREL/FRL)

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.

Safeguards and Safeguards Information System (SIS) Activities relating to safeguards and the SIS will commence in 2016.

Challenges and Solutions

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