Green Legacy Initiative Phenomenal in Terms of Scale, Says Int’l Solar Alliance Director-General

Addis Ababa, August 26, 2025 (ENA)—Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative has been phenomenal in terms of scale as the world needs to advance clean energy in combatting climate change, International Solar Alliance Director-General Ashish Khanna said.

The director-general told ENA that the program is specifically phenomenal in terms of the scale of planting saplings.

Ethiopia has planted over 40 billion trees during the past six years, increasing forest coverage to 23.6 percent.

“I was so impressed to hear about the number of trees and the saplings planted; and it is so phenomenal in terms of the scale.”

In the effort to combat climate change, the world definitely needs a lot of clean energy, Khanna stated, adding that implementing the right policy is also critical.

“So whether you are a hotel owner, a shop owner, a coffee grower or a farmer, solar can help you enhance productivity and enhance your income.”

Developing the right policy in the effort toward combating climate is also significant, he noted.

Similarly, Professor Ramesh Narayanan of the Indian Institute of Technology commended Ethiopia’s unwavering commitment to combating climate change impacts through its Green Legacy Initiative.

Ethiopia will be the brand ambassador of showing the way for other African countries to implement the renewable energy policies and technologies in a sustainable way and in an affordable way, the professor expressed his expectation.

On his part, Founder and CEO of Selco Foundation, Harish Hande, stressed the need for taking climate change actions at a broader level, beyond a country wide strategy.

He stated that climate change is affecting all segments of society and coming up with climate resilient solutions is crucial. 

Decentralization of climate solutions is also pivotal, Hande noted, emphasizing the need to also share best experiences on climate solutions that other countries can copy.

Ethiopia is advancing its clean energy efforts by diversifying its power sources with new wind, and solar projects as well as geothermal power.

Ethiopia will host the Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2) in Addis Ababa from September 8-10 under the theme “Accelerating Global Climate Solutions: Financing for Africa's Resilient and Green Development”.

The summit will serve as a platform to advance nature-based and technological solutions, scale renewable energy deployment, mobilize climate finance, and promote climate adaptation and resilience.