Eni Côte d'Ivoire publishes its first Sustainability Report

Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire), October 24, 2024 – Eni today announces the publication of its first local sustainability report for Côte d'Ivoire, outlining the company's achievements and future goals for the benefit of local stakeholders. The launch ceremony was attended by representatives from institutions, non-governmental organizations, suppliers, and partners involved in Eni's projects in the country.    

"Since the discovery of the Baleine field in 2021, the largest ever made in Côte d'Ivoire, Eni has launched a wide range of sustainability projects aligned with the country's National Development Plans and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals," said Luca Faccenda, Managing Director of Eni Côte d'Ivoire. "These projects combine business development with the growth of the country and represent an essential part of the legacy we intend to leave. By investing in initiatives in decarbonization, economic diversification, education, and health, we have opened a portfolio of opportunities for shared, equitable, and inclusive growth in Côte d'Ivoire."

Eni has adopted the best available technologies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions linked to the Baleine project, the first net-zero (Scope 1 and 2) Upstream development in Africa. Among the most notable initiatives is the distribution of improved cookstoves to replace traditional cooking methods. To date, over 100,000 cookstoves, all produced locally, have been distributed, with the goal of reaching 500,000 units by 2030. This program has already improved the quality of life for over 500,000 people in more than 1,000 villages and aims to engage over 2 million people, significantly contributing to the reduction of GHG emissions. In parallel, Eni has completed the necessary feasibility studies to launch a major conservation and reforestation project covering 155,000 hectares in 14 classified forests in Côte d'Ivoire, in collaboration with the Ministry of Water and Forests and the Ministry of Environment, Sustainable Development, and Ecological Transition. The project not only aims to protect the forest heritage but also to restore degraded areas, promoting the sustainable management of natural resources. The direct involvement of local communities is a fundamental component of the project, which includes awareness-raising activities, training on sustainable practices, and new economic opportunities related to forest protection and restoration. These interventions, in addition to preserving biodiversity, contribute to improving the living conditions of rural communities, creating synergy between environmental protection and social development.

Eni also contributes to Côte d'Ivoire's economic diversification through the production of vegetable oil from forest residues for biorefining. Thanks to a multi-year agreement with the country's Rubber Producers Federation (FPH), this project involves thousands of farmers in collecting residual seeds from existing plantations, covering an area of over 50,000 hectares out of a total pool of participating producers amounting to more than 300,000 hectares. The initiative provides a new source of income to farmers and it is integrating the country into the biofuel value chain. This approach not only valorizes local agricultural residues but also creates new job and development opportunities for rural communities.

In 2023, Eni engaged several Ivorian suppliers in logistics, maintenance, and technical services sectors, supporting the growth of local businesses and strengthening their expertise in health, safety, and environment. In terms of training, the company provided over 7,000 hours of training in 2023, benefitting around 135 employees and promoting the adoption of safe and sustainable practices in the workplace. Additionally, Eni promoted two master's programs in the Upstream and Downstream sectors in collaboration with the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Polytechnic to bridge the gap between education and the workforce.

In the education sector, Eni renovated 20 primary schools and 2 secondary schools in Port-Bouët and the Sud-Comoé region, improving access to water and electricity and providing educational materials to over 13,000 students. The renovated schools, equipped with modern infrastructure that ensures safer and more functional learning conditions for students and staff, were inaugurated in collaboration with the Ministry of National Education and Literacy.

Regarding health, Eni has initiated projects aimed at strengthening the healthcare system through the rehabilitation of health centers on a regional and national scale. The renovated facilities were inaugurated during 2024, benefitting over 230,000 people and approximately 500 healthcare workers. These projects, developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, include the provision of ambulances, medical equipment, and awareness campaigns to improve public health. The inauguration ceremonies for these centers were attended by local communities and institutions, demonstrating the company's long-term commitment to improving health conditions in the country.

Through its sustainability projects, Eni Côte d'Ivoire is committed to promoting a sustainable economic, social, and environmental development in Côte d'Ivoire. With a focus on decarbonization, local content, and improving people's living conditions, Eni aims to contribute to a prosperous and sustainable future for the country, benefitting hundreds of thousands of people with concrete and long-term interventions.