By: Yohannes Fentahun
Ethiopia is reaffirming its commitment to practical climate change mitigation with a renewed focus on reforestation and land rehabilitation, backed by a recently approved dedicated fund. The Ethiopian Forestry Development agency, in a press conference with local media, outlined the country's strategy for addressing climate change, emphasizing the significance of the Green Legacy Initiative.
Director General of the Ethiopian Forestry Development, Kebede Yimam, highlighted the global impact of climate change and underscored Ethiopia's particular vulnerability. The country faces the challenge of 54 million hectares of degraded land, with 11 million hectares requiring immediate rehabilitation. In response, Ethiopia's House of Peoples' Representatives (HPR) has passed a resolution to establish a dedicated fund for land rehabilitation and the Green Legacy Initiative, formalized through proclamation number 1361/2017.
The Green Legacy Initiative, a large-scale national reforestation effort, has become a key component of Ethiopia’s climate strategy, representing a practical response to the climate crisis. This new fund will enable the initiative to operate more effectively, supporting development in peripheral areas, near water bodies, and around dams. It aims to significantly reduce carbon emissions by 68.8% by 2030, while also attracting greater support from the international community and providing opportunities for carbon marketing.
The initiative, which has a significant regional impact, also aims to improve the water access, quality of life, and the overall climate resilience of communities. The fund will also play a crucial role in supporting the implementation of the Forest Development and Protection Regulation, enacted last year after 55 years (proclamation 544/2016). This regulation addresses deforestation and promotes sustainable forest management. A significant aspect of Ethiopia’s approach to carbon marketing includes channeling 80% of carbon market revenue to communities, 15% to regional bodies, and 5% to the federal government, ensuring local communities are the primary beneficiaries of these initiatives.
Ethiopia's current forest coverage stands at 23.6%. Historically, Ethiopia experienced significant rates of deforestation: 800,000 hectares lost annually during the Imperial era, 275,000 during the Derg regime, and 94,000 at the time of the EPRDF government. Now, due to conservation efforts, deforestation rates have been reduced to 27,000 hectares annually. Surveys indicate a wood consumption of 124 million cubic meters in 2013, with a later UNDP study estimating 142 million cubic meters.
The Green Legacy program also targets import substitution through the development of local forest resources. The Ethiopian Forestry Development is also seeking regional cooperation, particularly with neighboring countries to share best practices and jointly address the impacts of climate change. The combination of a dedicated fund, community-based initiatives, and regional cooperation marks a significant step forward in Ethiopia’s commitment to achieving sustainable development goals, while mitigating climate change.