Work Order 6
Development of a climate change adaptation strategy and
programme for the coastal area of Côte d'Ivoire
Context and Justification
The Ivorian coastal area extends across appr. 550 km from east to west. With its 550 km, Côte
d’Ivoire is - after Nigeria - the West African country with the longest coast. The area is characterised
by a rich and unique biodiversity but suffers from an intense pressure generated by human activities
such as agro-industry, urbanisation, fishing, tourism, etc. Apart from two important poles of urban
development, Abidjan (in the south-east ) and San Pedro (in the south-west), the coastal zone
accommodates extensive forests, lakes, and plantations of cocoa, rubber, oil palm, pineapple and
other cash crops. Thanks to its extent and the beauty of its beaches, the region provides excellent
opportunities for the development of coastal tourism, as demonstrated by several seaside resorts like
Assinie, Assouindé, Grand-Bassam in the east and Monogaga, Taky, Boubélé, Dawa, and la Baie des
Sirenes in the west.
Lately, the effects of global climate change have exacerbated the already existing effects of human
pressure on the natural capital. In particular coastal erosion caused by a steadily rising sea level has
become a real threat for existing infrastructure and economic activities. The coastal line, for instance,
has been moving backwards at a speed of 7 meters annually over the last period of time (as was
discussed in the international colloquium on “Geographical perspectives for sub-Saharan Africa”,
organised by the Institute of Tropical Geography of the University of Abidjan – Cocody). Indeed,
erosion is destabilising about two thirds of the coastal line in Côte d’Ivoire and is generating economic
and social damage. As the coastal area is particularly densely populated, the extent of the damage
caused is more than significant.
As forecasts on the global effects of climate change suggest further sea level rises, even stronger
erosion might be expected for the coming decennia in low-lying coastal zones. Hence, for Côte
d’Ivoire, if a proper coastal management plan, based on solid analysis and understanding of the
ongoing erosion processes, is not timely developed and implemented, the population will increasingly
suffer from damages and hardship.
Against this background and in view of promoting Côte d’Ivoire as an emerging nation by 2020, the
country has revised its main policies and strategies for poverty reduction, development and economic
revival. Unanimously, these documents put an emphasis on better coastal management, related to
sea level rises and coastal erosion (National Development Plan 2012-2015).
To assist the country with the development of a sound programme for adaptation to the negative
effects of climate change in the coastal area of Côte d’Ivoire, the Ministry of Environment and
Sustainable Development has requested assistance from an international expert in coastal
management and climate change through the Climate Support Facility.
The key issues “Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction” are both GCCA priorities.
Description of the Assignment
Objectives:

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General objective: To increase resilience of the population of the coastal areas in Côte
against the local impact of climate change.
Specific objective: To assist the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development to
develop a CC adaptation strategy and programme for the coastal area in Côte d’Ivoire.
Specific tasks:
 Review existing national/regional policies and strategies related to climate change adaptation.
 Define and assess the effects of climate change in the region, including the people’s and
infrastructure’s vulnerability.
 Map ongoing and planned CC adaptation initiatives in the target region.
 Assess methodologies and approaches applied in the ongoing adaptation initiatives.
 Identify gaps, additional priority needs, and relevant areas for further interventions.
 Analyse the characteristics (environmental and socio-economic) of the target region and
propose a zoning of the area in view of climate change adaptation action.
 Develop technical fiches for each of the identified zones (nature of action needed,
methodologies and approaches to be applied, technologies to be used and how to get access
to these).
 Conduct a workshop with key stakeholders to inform about the findings of the various studies
and assessments carried out and to discuss priorities, possible strategies and best
approaches for future adaptation actions.
 Draft a CC adaptation strategy and programme paper for the target region, compiling all
findings and results from the above-listed activities.
Outputs to be delivered:
 Workshop materials and powerpoint presentations
 A Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and Programme Paper for the coastal area of Côte
d’Ivoire
 Mission Report to the CSF-Administrator / ACP Secretariat
Organisational and methodological issues
Place:
Home-based and Côte d’Ivoire
Duration & Indicative Planning:
The mission should start as soon as possible after approval of the Work Order. The exact
starting date should be agreed with the coordinating person in Côte d’Ivoire (contact details
are given below). The overall implementation period of the mission (from starting date to
debriefing) should not exceed 2.5 calendar months.
Preparation phase: 4 days
Establishing a work and visit programme for the in-country phase; reading
background materials (provided by e-mail by the coordinating person to the
consultant) and technical preparation for the tasks to be carried out in Côte d’Ivoire.
In-country phase: 20 days
Interviews and discussions with stakeholders and resource persons; site and project
visits; gather and review relevant documents and reports; analyse the collected
information; prepare and conduct a workshop.
Throughout this phase, the key expert will be assisted by a junior professional for
information gathering and analysis as well as for the workshop preparation.
Strategy & Report writing and debriefing in Brussels: 5 days
The drafting of the CC adaptation strategy and programme paper will have started
during the in-country phase; some extra home-based days are foreseen for
finalisation of the draft. The draft version will be shared with the key stakeholders and
their comments will be integrated in a final document.
Debriefing will take place after submission of the mission report and in consultation
with the ACP Secretariat. If the consultant is not based in Belgium, debriefing will be
done by telephone/skype.
International Travel: 2 days
Inputs required
1. To be provided by the Climate Support Facility

CSF expert 1 (category “non-key senior experts”) – team leader: 31 working days;
one return ticket to Côte d’Ivoire (Abidjan); per diems (20x Côte d’Ivoire)
Team leader’s profile: specialist in CC adaptation in coastal areas; experience in
strategy and programme development; at least 10 years of relevant professional
experience; fluent in French (spoken and written).

CSF expert 2 (category “junior experts”): 22 working days; one return ticket to Côte
d’Ivoire (Abidjan); per diems (20x Côte d’Ivoire)
Junior’s profile: academic background in natural resource management, environment
or related areas; good analytical skills; fluent in French (spoken and written).

Budget to support the organisation of the workshop: 1500 EUR (1 day / 30
participants)
2. To be provided by the Beneficiary (Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development):
Local travel (outside Abidjan); background documents and reports; list of relevant contacts
and ongoing adaptation interventions; assistance to coordinate the field work and establish a
work programme; facilities and organisation of the logistics for the workshop.
Coordination and Supervision
Mr Philippe Kumassi Kouadio, Consultant to the project “Technology Needs Assessment”
related to climate change. Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development
Email: kumas_phil@yahoo.fr
Tel: (225) 20 22 07 01 / (225) 07 92 43 34