Ethiopia's Low Emission Dev't Strategy Exemplary for Other African countries: ECA

Addis Ababa June 13/2023 (ENA) Ethiopia’s Long Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) is exemplary for other African countries and would help to reduce carbon emissions, ECA Director for Technology, Climate Change and Natural Resources Management, Jean Paul Adam said.

It is to be recalled that the government of Ethiopia officially launched the Long Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) last month with the view to overcoming climate change related challenges.

The overarching objective of Ethiopia's LT-LED strategy is to help Ethiopia pursue a green growth pathway by keeping its carbon emissions target to net zero by 2050 entailing an increased climate resilience and delivery of multiple economic and social benefits.

In an exclusive interview with Ethiopian News Agency, Economic Commission for Africa Director for Technology, Climate Change and Natural Resources Management, Jean Paul Adam said the strategy is a key tool in achieving Ethiopia’s sustainable development and climate mitigation and adaptation objective, following a holistic long term planning approach and is the best example to other African countries to tackle climate change.

The director stated the fact that climate change continues to drastically affect the livelihoods of people in multiple challenges including drought, flood, and other calamities witnessed over the years are due to the impact of climate change.

Therefore, investing in climate change is protecting the livelihood of our people, he said, adding that all what we need is to work together to mobilize resources and realize this ambitious plan.

The efforts of the Ethiopian government are very important and we are pleased and proud to be able to support the launch of this LD-LED strategy, he pointed out.

He also explained that the Green Legacy Initiatives is part of this strategy and Ethiopia has been giving attention to climate change and carried out massive activities in reducing carbon emissions.

According to him, the plantation scheme is not only a very good example of protecting the environment but  has also positive impact on people lives.

He further said the initiative is an example that can be followed by many countries.

"This initiative is an example which can be followed by many countries  and need more support to be able to undertake this kind of activities as well as this kind of resilience, including investing in energy or investing in production system, that has less impact on the climate,’’ Adam added.

Investing in tree planting can reduce risk of flooding and improve access to water, Adam said, adding that the way Ethiopia is doing in planting trees is also part of the effort of creating economic opportunities for livelihood.

When we plant trees we are not only addressing the current climate change, but also ensuring safe environment for the next generation, he added.

Furthermore, the director pointed out that the region can boost its drought resilience by planting trees and the significance of the Green Legacy in this regard is paramount.

Moreover, the country is also looking at the opportunity to build capacity for agro-forestry while planting trees in areas affected by deforestation.

 ECA has been providing technical support to Ethiopia’s green legacy initiative, he said.

“ We want to support Ethiopia on identifying economic activities that can generate more resources in the future, so one sector that the ECA has started to work on is the development of carbon credits,” the director pointed out.

The Green Legacy Initiative is a flagship program initiated by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in June 2019 with a target of planting 20 billion seedlings within a period of four years. 

However, by the fourth year, 25 billion seedlings, including fruit trees and cattle feeds, have been planted as part of the national Green Legacy Initiative across the nation.