Ethiopia sets a global example in climate change action: UNDP

Addis Ababa, November 14, 2024 (FBC) – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has claimed that Ethiopia is already advancing all its commitments to climate change agreements, as confirmed by the Ministry of Planning and Development of Ethiopia (MoPD).

At the ongoing 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), held in Baku, Azerbaijan, the Ethiopian Pavilion hosted a meeting with partner organizations to discuss the country’s progress on climate change since COP28.

During the event, Ethiopia’s Minister of Planning and Development, Ms. Fitsum Assefa (PhD), highlighted her country’s efforts to achieve food self-sufficiency through the Green Legacy initiative, the renewable energy program, and abundant production of food crops.

Additionally, she mentioned that Ethiopia has implemented the climate change agreements committed at COP28.

On their part, representatives of Ethiopia’s sdevelopment partners acknowledged that Ethiopia is already advancing the global plan to transition to renewable energy to cover deforested areas and pledged to support the country’s efforts.

They recognized that the work being done through the Green Legacy initiative in Ethiopia can serve as a model for the rest of the world.

Recall that Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed yesterday noted in a social media post that his country is advancing its Paris Agreement and COP28 commitments of last year through three initiatives: the Green Legacy Initiative, which has increased forest cover by 6% with 40 billion seedlings planted to date; an irrigated wheat program that transformed a grain deficit into surplus by 2023; and climate-smart urban projects creating sustainable, greener cities with renewable energy, pedestrian pathways, and electric vehicles.

He emphasized that addressing the climate crisis requires more than financial targets; it demands equity, common but differentiated responsibility, and historical accountability. Abiy added that clear climate finance definitions are essential to track progress, with new goals prioritizing vulnerable regions, especially least developed countries like those in Africa.