
The recent global study of over 100,000 weather-related research findings revealed that 80% of the world’s land mass has been affected by climate change, impacting the majority of the 7.7 billion global populations.
According to WHO data, around 2 billion people lack access to safe drinking water, and 600 million suffer foodborne infections annually, with 30% of foodborne deaths occurring in children under five. In 2020, 770 million individuals, primarily in Asia and Africa, faced hunger. Climate change exacerbates nutrition issues, affecting the diversity, quality, and availability of food.
Two years ago, over 110 million people in Africa experienced direct impacts from weather-related hazards, leading to economic damages exceeding 8.5 billion USD and approximately 5,000 fatalities, primarily due to drought and flooding, according to the Emergency Event Database.
The Research indicated that 3.6 billion people currently reside in areas highly vulnerable to climate change. From 2030 to 2050, climate change is expected to result in around 250,000 additional deaths annually due to malnutrition, malaria, diarrhea, and heat stress.
To handling these issues, the global community defined by the emerging threats of environmental degradation and climate change, global solidarity and cooperation have never been more crucial.
The green economy has now come to represent a powerful, sustainable option, inseparably linking economic growth and nature conservation. At the forefront of this important worldwide movement is Ethiopia, demonstrating an pounding dedication to spearheading green economy diplomacy.
Ethiopia’s journey towards a low carbon, climate resilient economy is not new but a decade long vision that has been in charge of the country for years. At the wheel of these initiatives is the country’s nationally iconic Green Legacy Initiative (GLI), a progressive initiative that has received international recognition for its comprehensive approach to combating climate change and greening the future.
The project aims to extensive the country in additional forests, which deforestation and land degradation over decades have reduced to simple minimums. Through involving millions of individuals annually, the GLI has seen record numbers of seedlings being planted across the country, transforming unproductive landscapes into patches of green.
In the past five years, Ethiopia has embarked on an ambitious and remarkable greening initiative, planting over 40 billion various seedlings across the nation. This monumental effort is a strategic two-pronged approach, directly targeting the pressing impacts of climate change while simultaneously bolstering economic development.
The pure scale of this undertaking, encompassing both indigenous tree species and vital agroforestry plants, is a testament to Ethiopia’s commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable growth.
In the previous week, Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD), alongside Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima, diplomatic dignitaries, and senior government officials, has officially launched this year’s Green Legacy Initiative program, setting an ambitious target of planting 7.5 billion tree seedlings, under the theme: “Renewal Through Planting.”
Abiy emphasized that the Green Legacy Initiative (GLI) program is an integral part of Ethiopia’s nation state building efforts promoting unity, inclusivity, and collective action for a better future.
The Premier highlighted Ethiopia’s remarkable achievements under the Green Legacy Initiative, which has united millions of citizens in a collective commitment to environmental sustainability.
He also noted that Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative program has engaged broad public participation, played a pivotal role in national renewal, and is rooted in a forward-looking vision for future generations.
The voluntary efforts of millions of Ethiopians through the Green Legacy Initiative program have showcased the power of synergy, making the program both monumental and distinctive, the Premier further emphasized.
He underscored that the initiative is more than a reforestation effort, it is a people-centered movement driving national development, environmental sustainability, and long-term resilience.
In his part, Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima emphasized that Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative stands as a practical response to climate challenges and serves as an inspiring blueprint for reimagining the future.
Shettima also advocated for broader adoption of Ethiopia’s climate friendly development approach through its Green Legacy Initiative program as a model for sustainable development.
“For those of us who have followed this program, the numbers are staggering. But the impact is even more compelling, to plant 25 billion seedlings within four years, to establish over 20,000 nurseries and to create hundreds of thousands of green jobs is to show that the future is something we must plant, nurture and build.”
He added Ethiopia deserves all the applause the world has sent it away and more. He praised Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for spearheading the successful rollout of Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative through strong and effective leadership.
Beyond sequestering carbon and restoring degraded landscapes, these vast new forests are designed to enhance biodiversity, improve soil health, and regulate water cycles. Furthermore, the integration of agro economy plants within this massive reforestation drive is crucial.
It promises to diversify income streams for local communities, boost agricultural productivity, and create new green jobs. This holistic approach not only combats the existential threat of climate change but also lays a robust foundation for a more resilient and prosperous future for Ethiopia.
Furthermore, Forest growth improves a more sustainable agricultural sector, provides renewable wood and non-timber forest product sources, and even expands eco-tourism options. Moreover, the large-scale mobilization needed in the process enforces strong levels of national cohesion and environmental responsibility among the population.
Abiy further stated that program has also created significant potential for ensuring food sovereignty in the country. He further noted that Ethiopia’s experience offers a valuable lesson for Africa, not only in achieving food self-sufficiency but also in becoming a source of support for others.
He emphasized that Ethiopia’s efforts toward food sovereignty and environmental protection have gained international recognition, cited the recent food systems conference co-hosted by Ethiopia and the United Nations in Addis Ababa, as well as the African Climate Change Conference, both of which acknowledged Ethiopia’s achievements in these areas.
Furthermore, an eager signatory of the Paris Agreement, Ethiopia continues to urge the international community to unite in the face of climate change. In addition to its own achievement domestically, Ethiopia proudly stands on the global stage as a vocal representative of the imperative of the green economy and as a leader in world’s voice in international climate discourse.
The Prime Minister also stated that the current generation has a responsibility to transform Ethiopia’s challenging past and build a better nation for future generations, a goal that requires dedication and hard work.
In this situation, he emphasized that the GLI is an integral part of the nation-building process, being carried out collectively by all citizens without exception. He also called on Ethiopians to actively take part in the program by planting trees in their communities.
Ethiopia’s commitment to sustainable development transcends the GLI. Ethiopia is also working towards investing in renewable sources of energy, promoting climate-resilient agriculture, and developing policies that assist in enhancing waste management and water saving.
All these diverse attempts put together demonstrate Ethiopia’s holistic approach to building a rich and ecologically sound future for its citizens and assisting positively in the fight against climate change around the world.
BY FIKADU BELAY
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 1 JULY 2025