Adidjatou HASSAN ZANOUVI
President of the Benin Carbon Project Registration Authority
It is imperative to develop a carbon market that will benefit both the climate and our community.
Since 2016, Benin has undertaken significant reforms to preserve its environment, with the ambition of playing a leading role in the just ecological transition in West Africa. Today, our priority is to capitalize on the solid foundations we have established. Integrating sustainable finance into our business model has become imperative if we are to continue our industrialization process while preserving our precious environment. Benin is rich in varied natural resources that contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, purifying water and protecting our coastal zones. It is therefore imperative to develop a carbon market that will benefit both the climate and our community. The creation of the Carbon Projects Registration Authority (AEPC) in Benin marks a fundamental step in this direction.
AEPC embraces an ambitious vision for the carbon sector in Benin. It is committed to ensuring the visibility and quality of carbon credits produced in our country through the mandatory registration of all projects, past and future, in our national registry. This authority aims to establish an operational framework for the long-term management of these carbon credits, thereby contributing to sustainable economic growth.
We also ensure that these projects comply with international standards, thus guaranteeing their credibility. At the same time, we simplify their registration and provide essential support to project developers in meeting the authority’s registration requirements. Finally, AEPC is committed to supporting the creation of a robust and competitive carbon market, not only at national level, but also at regional and continental levels.
Our dedication and commitment require the support of our partners and the active participation of all Beninese who wish to contribute to this collective effort. Together, we can achieve our objectives and promote the carbon market in Benin. I also encourage national and international investors to join in this just ecological transition. With the necessary financial resources and the commitment of experts, I am convinced that we will succeed in developing the carbon market in Africa, and particularly in West Africa. With forthcoming regulatory developments such as Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement and associated adjustments in the field of carbon credits, AEPC will be strengthening its partnerships, both nationally and internationally, to meet these challenges and consolidate Benin’s position as a key player in the carbon markets.
Integrity, quality, sustainability: these are the fundamental principles of AEPC Benin. By pooling our efforts, we can forge a future that is both more respectful of the environment and more prosperous for Benin.