Initiated by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) in the 2019, the Green Legacy Initiative is a large scale afforestation or greening program that has diverse objectives. It aims to address the globally alarming issue of environmental degradation and climate change. Furthermore the initiative aims to address food security efforts of the country as a significant portion of the trees planted are also intended to produce fruits.
The effectiveness of the program has far reaching impact on the economy of the country as well as the region. Alleviating the impact of climate change will significantly help the agricultural productivity of the country. It will also serve as a means of economic income both from the sale of agricultural products as well as carbon trade.
Taking in to the significance the government has mobilized the people in all corners to actively engage in the seedling plantation that takes place during the summer rainy season which is the conducive season for the saplings to take root.
Accordingly, during the last four years only the country has carried out the transplantation of about 25 billion seedlings. In addition to the number of seedlings, the plantation has also brought about many benefits to the country.
One of the benefits is the motivation of the people to take environmental protection as their primary responsibility. As a result people in various parts of the country expect the summer season to carry out the plantation. This is a dramatic shift in the attitude of the people who mostly were used to clear forest for various purposes.
The other importance of the annual seedling plantation initiative is that it has brought together people of different countries as well as international organizations to join hands with the noble initiative. Especially the involvement of the diplomatic community in the green legacy initiative is highly encouraging.
For example in the 500 million seedlings in 12 hours Challenge that took place this week was met with a strong support from various diplomatic community members who reside here in Addis Ababa. This is a valuable signal for the country to further capitalize on the works so far and do its best to expand it to friendly countries as it has started in recent months.
Among the diplomatic missions who actively participated in the 500 million seedlings in 12 hours challenge is Chinese Embassy in Addis Ababa. China and Ethiopia are raising their economic ties through boosting trade and investment. Accordingly, Chinese companies have upheld their outstanding investment in various parts of the country engaging in important sectors of manufacturing.
The development of various infrastructures is an integral component of the investment of Chinese companies here in Ethiopia. These infrastructures include roads, railway, telecom, electric power, among others.
All these development sectors need due attention to avoid the possibility of affecting the environment. Therefore the active engagement of the diplomatic community especially Chinese Embassy here in Ethiopia adds momentum to the efforts of alleviating the environmental impacts of the development activities. The efforts made to involve the diplomatic community in the Green Legacy Initiative will also contribute to this.
Today Herald Guest is H.E Mr Zhao Zhiyuan, Ambassador of China to Ethiopia. Ambassador Zhiyuan is one of the Diplomatic community members who have involved in the recent seedling transplantation challenge here in Ethiopia. He had a stay with The Ethiopian Herald to explain about his view of the initiative and how China and Ethiopia could work together in the environmental protection, climate change prevention and green development. Have a nice read!
How do you see Ethiopia’s large scale greening initiative?
I highly appreciate the Green Legacy Initiative proposed by Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed. The initiative is naturally aligned with China’s ecological civilization thought initiated by Chinese President Xi Jinping, a harmony between humanity and nature as part of Chinese path to modernization. China is committed to sustainable development and to the principles of prioritizing resource conservation and environmental protection and letting nature restore itself.
The same pursuit of green and sustainable development makes today’s activity tree planting possible, joined by both the Chinese Embassy staff and our Ethiopian friends from MOFA. Just as one ancient Chinese saying goes, “A tree planted now will provide shade for future generations”. That means to leave a lasting legacy. And I believe the lasting legacy for all humanity is a green legacy.
How much do you think has the greening move aligned with fighting climate change globally?
Global climate change brings forth enormous challenges in various forms now. Environmental degradation, natural disasters, extreme weather, food and water shortages have posed severe challenges to natural ecosystems and human survival and development. Many parts of the world, including the African continent, are suffering from it.
As the earth is the only home on which all human beings live, climate change is a global challenge for mankind. The protection of the ecological environment and coping with climate change is not only a common, necessary and imperative cause for developing countries, but also a top priority for all the countries around the world.
Ethiopia launched the Green Legacy Initiative, which contributes to the global response to climate change by planting trees and increasing forest coverage, adhering to the path of green development, thus contributing to the global fight against climate change. Today, China is pursuing a concept of innovative, coordinated, green, open and inclusive development as proposed by President Xi Jinping. That’s also aligned with Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative.
The global Development Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping champion greener and healthier global development. That’s why China highly appreciates the Green Legacy Initiative and always stands ready to work with Ethiopia to actively participate in the global governance of climate change and contribute to the global response to climate change.
In what way does China support the greening move in Ethiopia?
China has actively participated in and supported Ethiopia’s greening move for years. First, the Chinese Embassy firmly supports the Green Legacy Initiative, has just held a tree planting campaign and planted trees in the Embassy premises today, July 17th, and also joined the “Let’s plant our Future Today” tree planting event at the Gulele Botanic Garden in Addis Ababa today, and mobilized resources for the Initiative. We firmly believe that our efforts will make outstanding contribution to Ethiopian green and sustainable development, and the long-term welfare of Ethiopians.
Second, the Chinese Embassy encourages Chinese-Invested enterprises to devote into Ethiopia’s green development, and develop green industry to benefit Ethiopian people. We ask Chinese contractors to apply high standard for energy conservation and emission reduction when constructing buildings. We encourage them to make use of every corner of their construction sites and communities to plant trees. Meanwhile we support lots of green-development projects here. For example, CCECC and other Chinese enterprises completed the construction of Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway, promoting the transition from coal-powered to electricity-powered energy supply.
The China-aided Ethiopian Riverbank Green Development Phase I, which is handed over to the Ethiopian government in March 2021, integrates functions of landscape, architecture, municipal administration, transportation, water conservancy and gardens all together, and aims at solving the sewage problem of local area completely, realizing sustainable and clean utilization of its water resources, improving the ecological environment, and advancing the resilience of Addis Ababa to climate change effectively. The project has been the 1st choice for many Ethiopian citizens for outdoor leisure and entertainment.
Recently, Shandong Wood and Wood Products Association started Eucalyptus Industrial Park project, which will bring the improvement of the breed of local Eucalyptus and comprehensive utilization of natural resources. Thirdly, China will continue to support the greening move in this great country in the fields of developing projects, strengthening capacity building and exploring trilateral cooperation with third parties in the future.
What other partners and international financial institutions could do to support Ethiopia’s greening move?
The Green Legacy Initiative is a great cause, which calls for efforts of each and every party. The Chinese Embassy would like to join hands with other partners to support Ethiopia green development.
Currently, Ethiopia is undergoing an important stage of capacity building, project financing, and long term development in the field of agriculture and forestry, where international financial institutions can make a bigger difference. We call on more international financial institutions to promote greater development of Ethiopia by developing projects, holding symposiums, conducting on-site survey, and conduct capacity building training programs to help Ethiopia seize historical opportunities.
For example, China Gezhouba Group recently signed a contract with Ethiopian Electricity Power to undertake South Extension of the National Electricity Grid Transmission Project, which will convey electricity power to remote area to help local residents to get rid of high-polluted firewood. This project is financed by Export-Import Bank of Korea, being regarded as an excellent model of multinational cooperation. China looks forward to conduct more such trilateral cooperation in the future.
Developed countries promised to support developing countries in their effort of coping with climate change but promises are not usually fulfilled, what his reflection is in this topic?
The global threat of climate change now causes severe challenges, and developing countries such as China and Ethiopia have suffered the most from climate change. We support the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26 and COP27) in making reasonable arrangements on the issue of loss and damage which is of great concern to developing countries.
In coping with climate change, the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities(CBDRRC) established the common responsibility of all states, but it lays down different standards of conduct for developed and developing countries. We urge developed countries to earnestly step up to their historical responsibilities and fulfill their due international obligations.
In particular, they should deliver on their promise of mobilizing $100 billion per year for climate action in developing countries as soon as possible, offer a roadmap for doubling adaptation finance, and take credible steps to help developing countries improve climate resilience, enhance mutual trust between the North and the South and form greater synergy in actions.
BY STAFF REPORTER
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 22 JULY 2023
