The Ivory Coast is a country in West Africa along the Atlantic Ocean. It is characterized by flat plains with higher mountains in the west. The coast has a tropical climate whilst the north is largely savannah. The Ivory Coast has among the highest rates of biodiversity globally, but also one of the highest rates of deforestation (PIK, n.d.). The Ivory Coast’s location, economic structure, and limited adaptive capacity make it one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to climate change (137/187 on the 2025 ND-GAIN Index).  

Compared to pre-industrial levels, average temperatures in Ivory Coast are projected to increase between 1.7°C-3.7°C by 2080 (PIK, n.d.). Precipitation projections are uncertain, however future dry and wet periods are expected to become more extreme (ibid.). Sea level rise is expected to threaten coastal communities – the majority of the country’s 25 million people live along its coast – as well as water quality and availability due to saline intrusion (ibid.). Coastal fisheries are projected to see a 26% reduction by 2050 due to rising temperatures and the changes in rainfall patterns (among other factors) are expected to worsen water availability, soil quality, and importantly, cocoa yields (GRID Geneva, n.d.). Primarily subsistence-based and rain-fed agriculture is the backbone of the Ivory Coast’s economy and is at risk from rising temperatures and water insecurity. The agricultural sector has low adaptive capacity which underlies its vulnerability to climate change (World Bank Group, 2023).  

GRID Geneva (n.d.) argues that there is strong political will in the Ivory Coast for climate action, however, much remains to be done in terms of operationalizing policies. The country faces challenges in terms of technical capacity, limited coordination, and insufficient mainstreaming of climate policies. The Ivory Coast’s REDD+ strategy aims to reduce deforestation, and it is working with the Cocoa and Forests Initiative to reduce the pressure of cocoa production on forests. 

CARE International began work in Cote d’Ivoire in 2000. CARE assists people displaced by the civil unrest, who lack food and potable water in some regions, and face serious health issues in regions where formal health systems have crumbled. CARE concentrates on regions deprived of basic public services with projects throughout the country in urban sanitation, rehabilitation, and social cohesion. Today, CARE Cote d’Ivoire focuses on urban sanitation, social cohesion, peace-building and conflict resolution, malaria, HIV and AIDS, repairing infrastructure, strengthening institutions, micro-finance and helping people earn a living.