The Ethiopian Green Legacy Initiative is a countrywide environmental initiative initiated in 2019 by Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed. The effort attempts to address deforestation and climate change by planting billions of trees across the country.
The Ethiopian government has set a goal of planting four billion trees during the rainy season in 2019 under the Initiative. This goal was met, with over 350 million trees planted in just one day. The effort was extended in subsequent years, with the goal of planting 20 billion trees by 2022.
The government also inaugurated the second phase of the Green Legacy Initiative, with the theme “Let’s plant our future today.” The first phase of the Green Legacy Initiative was a success, with Ethiopia planting 25 billion plants. As a result, the country has set a goal of planting another 25 billion seedlings in the second phase of the Green Legacy Initiative. The program is a grassroots strategy for combating climate change and environmental damage. It is one method of creating job opportunities and ensuring food security by planting edible seedlings.
Furthermore, the Initiative is considered a response to Ethiopia’s environmental concerns, such as deforestation, soil erosion and climate change. Over the years, the country has seen extensive deforestation, resulting in biodiversity loss, soil degradation, and increased vulnerability to droughts and floods.
The Green Legacy Initiative is not simply a national endeavor, but it also welcomes participation from individuals, communities, and organizations in Ethiopia and around the world. It encourages a sense of environmental responsibility in people and motivates them to take action to conserve and restore the environment. As a result, the program has earned international recognition and support, with other countries showing interest in replicating the approach.
Particularly, the Czech Republic, taking the Green Legacy initiative’s benefits for climate change mitigation into consideration, has been actively participating in and supporting the initiative since 2019. The Czech Republic has expressed support for Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative, which aims to mitigate deforestation and promote reforestation in the country.
Since the launch of the initiative the staff members of the embassy have been planting tree seedlings, mainly of endemic tree varieties of Ethiopia, and fruit seedlings have been planted on the premises of the Embassy of Czech. Former Czech Republic Ambassador to Ethiopia Ambassador Pavel Mikeš said that the embassy has been taking part in the Green Legacy initiative not only to mitigate climate change but also to make Addis Ababa a green, cleaner, quieter, and more beautiful diplomatic capital.
Thousands of tree seedlings, in particular, have been planted by embassy staff members during the first phase of the Green Legacy Initiative. In collaboration with Czech projects in the Sidama and SNNP regions, the embassy has also planted tens of thousands of tree seedlings. From its two nurseries in Hawassa and Arbaminch, the embassy has also been producing its own plants for the Green Legacy Campaign, he added.
Indeed, the Czech government has been offering technical assistance and knowledge in areas such as sustainable forest management and afforestation. It has been involved in Ethiopian development cooperation initiatives concentrating on healthcare, education and infrastructure.
More importantly, the Czech Republic’s support for the Green Legacy Initiative and renewable energy development indicates a common commitment to environmental sustainability and climate change mitigation. This collaboration promotes the bilateral relationship between the two countries.
First Deputy Minister of Czech Republic Foreign Affairs Iri Kozak once told local media that the Czech Republic wants to have economic relations aimed at building a long-term partnership with Ethiopia. The country is desirous to further strengthen bilateral relations with Ethiopia in the potential fields of cooperation such as security, economy, education as well as scientific and research cooperation.
Hence, “We are now reviewing our programs for the next period and we are preparing programs; for example, in the areas of water treatment, and agriculture, these are the areas which are important for us, but we have discussed with local authorities, national authorities about what can be done in the future and how the development programs should look like,” he explained.
More significantly, this week in Addis Ababa, a panel discussion on Ethiopia’s climate resilience took place. The Czech Republic Development Cooperation and the Austrian Development Cooperation hosted the panel, which covered topics like policy approaches, programming, adoption and mitigation measures of climate change, and challenges connected to climate resilience in Ethiopia.
On the occasion, the Czech Republic Ambassador to Ethiopia Ambassador Miroslav Kosek stated the Czech Republic reaffirmed its commitment to assisting Ethiopia in its efforts to strengthen climate resilience.
Ethiopia has been working to reduce the effects of climate change and establish a climate-resilient environment. One of the most significant and prominent successes to date in this regard is the Green Legacy Initiative, which has resulted in the planting of billions of tree seedlings around the country, he noted.
According to him, the topic of climate resilience is a subject that transcends borders, affecting the lives of people in every corner of the planet. Climate change is not a distant threat; it is a reality that is already impacting the lives of millions.
Furthermore, the ambassador highlighted that Ethiopia, with its diversified ecosystems and particular vulnerabilities, is not immune to this grim truth. Climate change’s effects, ranging from lengthy droughts to irregular rainfall patterns and catastrophic weather events, represent a substantial threat to the country’s long-term growth and people’s well-being.
“Climate resilience is not just about adapting to the changes that are already upon us; it’s about building a sustainable future for generations to come. These challenges underscore the urgency of our collective efforts to address climate resilience-related issues,” he underlined.
As a result, the ambassador reaffirmed that the Czech Republic is dedicated to assisting Ethiopia in its efforts to enhance climate resilience in the spirit of cooperation. “Our development cooperation with Ethiopia dates back many decades.” We are committed to assisting and enabling Ethiopia’s economic potential, with the goal of achieving sustainable and inclusive economic progress.”
On the other hand, the ambassador stated that Czech promotes comprehensive rural development, including agriculture, focusing on ensuring food security for the population, while protecting the landscape and managing land and forests sustainability. It also focuses on the sustainable management of natural resources, particularly water, and ensuring access to safe and affordable drinking water, adequate sanitation, and hygiene and facilities.
In general, Ethiopia and the Czech Republic have maintained a cooperative, economic, and cultural relationship. The Ethiopian Green Legacy Initiative, in particular, demonstrates a tremendous commitment on the part of the Ethiopian government and citizenry to solve environmental concerns and promote sustainable development. By focusing on tree planting and reforestation, the initiative helps worldwide efforts to prevent climate change and conserve ecosystems. Supporting these endeavors improves the two countries’ bonds even more.
BY EPHREM ANDARGACHEW
The Ethiopian Herald October 29/2023
