Ethiopia’s Green Legacy sets example for Africa: UK Climate Directorate Head

Addis Ababa, April 25, 2024 (FBC) – Ethiopia’s Green Legacy tree-planting program is a leading example for Africa, UK Climate and Nature Africa Directorate Head said.

UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Climate and Nature Africa Directorate Head, Julian P. Wright, stated that Ethiopia has shown progress in its seedlings planting programs since international climate conferences in Durban and Dubai.

“Ethiopia has progressed since the Durban COP in terms of planting, and a number of examples stand out. The tree planting (Green Legacy), is really good, really important in a country where forestry is a key part of the economy.”

According to him, the UK has a long-standing partnership with Ethiopia on climate change initiatives and hopes that the country can successfully deliver on its ambitious commitments.

The UK is a strong advocate for locally-led adaptation strategies and social protection programs to build resilience at community level, the UK official stated.

“In Ethiopia we are big supporters of social protection; the SNP programme for example as a way of improving resilience to climate change on the ground, and locally led adaptation is key.”

The head said the UK has played a key role in establishing the new loss and damage fund at COP 28, aimed at assisting developing countries facing the brunt of climate change impacts.

Continued collaboration between Ethiopia and its partners like the UK will be crucial in ensuring a sustainable future for the African continent, Wright noted, and promised to continue the partnership in the field between the countries.

Planning and Development State Minister, Seyoum Mekonnen on his part expressed Ethiopia’s desire to expand the Green Legacy program and become a renewable energy exporter in Africa.

He revealed that sharing seedlings and exporting renewable energy to neighboring countries are already underway, ENA reported.

“We are striving to connect countries in Africa through the Green Legacy program and energy transition,” the state minister added.

Building a climate-resilient economy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions are central pillars of Ethiopia’s 10-year development plan, with the ultimate goal of achieving net-zero emissions and a climate-resilient economy by 2050.