Key Takeaways:
- Spades and AUDA-NEPAD announce large-scale landscape restoration projects with Cote d’Ivoire and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
- The projects aim to cover 10 million hectares, plant 1.5 billion trees, and generate over 3 billion MtCO2e in 50 years.
- These partnerships focus on restoring natural areas, developing plantations and coastal mangroves, and supporting smallholder farmers through regenerative agroforestry.
- The initiatives align with UNFCCC protocols and contribute to each nation’s Nationally Determined Contributions.
In a significant development for environmental conservation, Spades, in collaboration with the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), has announced partnerships with Cote d’Ivoire and the Democratic Republic of the Congo for large-scale landscape restoration. These projects are a monumental step in climate action and sustainable development for the African continent.
Project Overview and Impact
The restoration agreements with Cote d’Ivoire and the DRC are ambitious in scope and scale:
- Total Coverage: The project is planned to span approximately 10 million hectares.
- Tree Planting Goal: Aim to plant 1.5 billion trees.
- Carbon Sequestration: Expected to generate more than 3 billion MtCO2e over 50 years.
- Shared Ownership and Governance: Benefits of the projects accrue to all stakeholders, prioritizing smallholder farmers and communities.
Strategic Focus Areas
The projects encompass several key areas:
- Restoring natural areas and developing plantations.
- Restoring coastal mangroves.
- Prioritizing regenerative agroforestry to boost rural income.
- Aligning with each nation’s strategies on climate resilience, biodiversity, reforestation, and food security.
- Promoting significant economic development and job creation.
Nations’ Commitment and Vision
- Democratic Republic of Congo: Recognized as a “climate solutions country,” the DRC’s rich natural resources, including the second-largest tropical forest in the world and extensive peat bogs, position it as a leader in environmental conservation. Professor Isaac Kalonda acknowledges the Spades initiative as an extension of the President’s billion trees initiative.
- Cote d’Ivoire: With an ambitious national initiative to achieve 20% forest cover by 2030, Cote d’Ivoire is at the forefront of sustainable development and agriculture. Its role as a leading producer in agriculture and agroforestry underlines its commitment to environmental preservation and climate action.
Role of AUDA-NEPAD
The African Union Development Agency – NEPAD, through its AFR100 initiative, is a country-led effort to restore Africa’s degraded and deforested land. The Spades partnership leverages AUDA-NEPAD’s successful engagement with 34 African countries committed to restoring 130 million hectares. Mamadou DIAKHITE, Acting Head of Environmental Sustainability for AUDA-NEPAD, highlights the decade-long efforts of AUDA-NEPAD in this area.
