The Ethiopian Green Legacy is a climate mitigation and ensuring food security initiative launched by the government of Ethiopia in 2019. The main aim of the initiative is to combat deforestation and climate change by planting a large number of trees across the country.
The initiative was introduced by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who called on all Ethiopians to plant at least 4 billion trees in the country within a year. The target was later enhanced to 5 billion trees due to the overwhelming response and enthusiasm from the public.
Moreover, the initiative is part of Ethiopia’s commitment to the Paris Agreement on climate change and its efforts to restore the country’s degraded landscapes. It also aligns with the country’s national development plans, which prioritize sustainable environmental practices through protecting natural resources.
The Green Legacy campaign involves various stakeholders, including government institutions, non-governmental organizations, private companies, ambassadors and diplomats residing in the country, the diasporas and their communities, individual citizens, and so on. The government has provided various tree seedlings and organized tree-planting events throughout the country, encouraging citizens to actively participate in the reforestation efforts.
Besides, the initiative has received international recognition and support, with several countries and organizations pledging their assistance. For instance, Norway pledged 28 million US Dollars to support Ethiopia’s reforestation efforts, while the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) commended Ethiopia’s ambitious tree-planting campaign.
Furthermore, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) expressed also its plan to share the experiences of Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative with about 10 other African countries and make the Initiative Pan-African.
According to UNDP, supporting the initiative has an enormous advantage for national, regional, and international adaptation and mitigation of the harmful effects of climate change, biodiversity preservation, combating desertification, ensuring green development, ensuring food security, and achieving the SDGs.
The Green Legacy initiative is a stepping stone to a better future for Ethiopia. therefore, UNDP plans to share Ethiopia’s experiences with about 10 other countries to make the initiative Pan-African since it is important to set the pace in combating climate change and fostering community resilience.
The Ethiopian Green Legacy initiative has not only contributed to combating deforestation and climate change but has also brought about other positive impacts. It has helped to create job opportunities for youths, improve soil fertility, conserve biodiversity, and enhance water resources management in the country. In addition, the first Green Legacy initiative expanded across the region, especially in neighboring countries.
This year, the nation also started the second green legacy initiative, taking into consideration the knowledge gained and the lessons learned from the first initiative. To double the amount of work put into the first round of the initiative, a second round was launched.
It is to be recalled that Prime Minister Abiy launched the second phase of the Green Legacy Initiative in the first week of June this year in the Afar region under the theme “Let’s Plant Our Future Today”.
According to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD), “At the completion of this year’s season the second phase of the Green Legacy initiative, we achieved more than our intended target, i.e. 7.5 billion saplings have been planted nationwide. The premier added that the government honors the hard work and perseverance shown by our people. Besides, the Green Legacy program not only stabilizes the ecosystem but also enhances agroforestry”.
The successes being registered in the Green Legacy initiative and other sectors demonstrate the inevitability of Ethiopia’s journey to prosperity. He stated that 7.5 billion saplings have been planted in the first year’s Green Legacy Initiative, and some 32.5 billion saplings have been planted since the start of the initiative. Moreover, the nation has set a target of reaching 50 billion saplings in the first and second phases of the Green Legacy initiative.
Abiy underscored that there will be no earthly force in the future that can stop Ethiopia’s progress and prosperity. The nation will have attained a target of planting 25 billion saplings by the end of the second phase of Green Legacy which runs for four years.
“According to the plan, 60 percent of the saplings will be used for agroforestry, 35 percent for forest cover, and 5 percent for urban ornaments. Through the united efforts of the Ethiopian people, we will bequeath a strong and prosperous Ethiopia to future generations. Numerous forums on the impacts of climate change have been held at the global level. As regards mitigating the impacts of climate change and taking concrete actions, progress has not been made, he said, adding, however, Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative has been exemplary in mitigating climate change impacts and taking concrete actions”.
The premier also disclosed that 7.5 billion tree seedlings have so far been planted this year in the second phase of the Green Legacy Initiative. Combined with the two phases of the Green Legacy initiative, Ethiopia is set to plant 50 billion saplings in four years, Abiy elaborated.
For instance, the Jogo basin area was barren areas four years ago, but now the area is covered with green plants. The prime minister further mentioned that the local communities have contributed a lot to this success and they are now engaged in beekeeping activities following the green development in the area.
He also explained that the massive green development activities that Ethiopia has embarked on are helping the nation to prevent soil erosion, increase rainfall and maintain ecosystems. Moreover, Abiy said green development is becoming a big economic source in Ethiopia. He further stressed the need to prioritize fruit, coffee, tea, and other market-oriented green development activities.
PM Abiy also expressed the appreciation of his government to the people of Ethiopia for their immense contributions and achievements in the Green Legacy initiatives during the past years. Mentioning the successes that are being recorded in the Green Legacy initiative, the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), wheat farming, and Lemat Trufat, Abiy urged the public to replicate the successes in all sectors. He also stated that effective activities are being carried out with the cooperation of the government and the people, ensuring the inevitability of Ethiopia’s journey to prosperity journey.
Overall, the Ethiopian Green Legacy is a significant environmental initiative that showcases Ethiopia’s commitment to sustainable development and environmental conservation. It serves as a model for other countries in their efforts to combat deforestation and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
BY EPHREM ANDARGACHEW
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 26 SEPTEMBER 2023
