- Forest cover hits 17.2 percent
ADDIS ABABA – Environment, Forest and Climate Change Commission said that the nation has invested 82 billion USD or 598 billion Birr to mitigate and respond to the effect of climate change from 2009 to 2018.
During a national discussion forum on the Environment, Forest and Climate Change Sector Commission Commissioner Prof. Fekadu Beyene said that the country has achieved remarkable successes in terms of mitigating and responding to the effects of climate change. “The country’s forest cover has hit 17.2 percent. The efforts made to reduce deforestation and deforestation in recent years has enabled us to accomplish it,” he added.
In a green legacy initiative, only in two years, Ethiopia has managed to plant 9 billion tree seedlings out of 20 billion seedlings planned to be planted in four years with active participation of the communities, he stated. Food security and agricultural productivity programs and projects implemented to build resilience of low-income and pastoralist
communities. Benefiting many households, the efforts have enabled to create job opportunities for women and youths in urban and rural areas, he said. According to the performance survey, between 2009 and 2018, the country has invested 82 billion USD or 598 billion birr in response to climate change. Encouraging achievements have also been registered. Various scientific studies and research, technology development and promotion activities have been implemented for wildlife development and conservation, it was learnt.
BY TSEGAYE TILAHUN
The Ethiopian Herald may 11/2021
