After launching the National Green Legacy Initiative 4 years ago under the leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and planted more than 20 billion trees across the country and extended the program to the neighboring countries like Somalia, Djibouti, and South Sudan sharing millions of tree seedlings with these countries. Ethiopia used the Green Legacy Initiative as a tool for peace building and promotion of friendship and economic integration.
Now the country is developing eco-tourism as an important strategy for tourism development which is expected to further promote the country’s climate diplomacy. The Dine for Sheger, Dine for the Nation and Dine for the Generation Projects are already showing promising results not only at the national level but also at the regional level setting an example for the rest of African
The Government of Ethiopia has set up a national financial mechanism, the CRGE Facility, in order to support the realization of the priorities set out in the CRGE strategy, as well as the development and implementation of CRGE investment plans. The facility has also been established to help Ethiopia fully benefit from the different forms of finance currently and potentially available, and to help mobilize and allocate finance in accordance with the prioritized needs defined by the CRGE strategy.
This has resulted in the facility being accredited for the Adaptation Fund and Green Climate Fund (GCF). The Government of Ethiopia has already committed its contribution to the CDGE Facility on a continuous basis with applicable contributions from the domestic sources.
Ethiopia is also closely working with the African Climate policy Center (ACPC) established in 2010 for sharing quality climate information that is used for the day-to-day activities of member countries and also to serve as an input for decision making. This support is provided through the ClimDev-Africa program, a joint initiative of UNECA, the African Development Bank (AfDB) and African Union Commission (AUC). Through this program countries have been supported in improving their analytical capability, knowledge management and dissemination mechanisms.
ACPC serves communities and governments as well as the Regional Economic Communities in Africa. In order to contribute to addressing Africa’s climate challenges, the center is working in partnership with different stakeholders. It has focused its work program into three broad areas including: Knowledge generation, sharing and networking that consists of research, knowledge management and peer learning, and outreach activities; Advocacy and consensus building; and Advisory services and technical cooperation, which comprises capacity mobilization, capacity building and technical assistance.
Ethiopia signed the ‘Lima Declaration’ with the United Kingdom, Norway, Germany, France, Denmark and Sweden. Its purpose is to work together for an ambitious outcome in Paris and also to support the realization of the CRGE. This declaration expanded and renewed the achievements of the strategic partnership between Ethiopia, UK and Norway, which was held during the international launching of the CRGE in Durban, South Africa during COP17.
IIED notes that the partnership aims to continue the already on-going political collaboration for advancing international climate policy, the UNFCCC process, for an ambitious and comprehensive agreement accepted by all parties, as well as technical and financial support for the implementation of the CRGE strategy. The European Union and the United States of America have recently joined the Lima Declaration. Climate diplomacy will have major impact if addressed at regional, continental as well as global level.
In Ethiopia, although there were some attempts in educating the public on the issues of climate change, mainstreaming environment issues and climate diplomacy is not being adequately addressed by the sector offices in the government and the CSOs.
Ethiopia’s climate diplomacy and the skills being employed by the professionals in conducting multi- lateral negotiation need to be accelerated to ensure socio-economic and diplomatic successe for the country.
Editor’s Note: The views entertained in this article do not necessarily reflect the stance of The Ethiopian Herald
BY STAFF REPORTER
The Ethiopian Herald July 30/2023
