Ethiopia Spearheads Comprehensive Climate Change Mitigation Efforts, DPM Temesgen Announces

Addis Ababa, July 3/2024(ENA)-In a landmark announcement, Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh revealed Ethiopia's robust and multifaceted approach to tackling climate change, highlighting the nation's tangible progress in this critical issue. 

Today marked the official launch of Ethiopia's Nationally Determined Contribution Implementation Plan in the presence of key figures including Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh, ministers, heads of federal and regional institutions, and delegates from various international bodies.

 

During his address, Temesgen underscored Ethiopia's acute vulnerability to climate change-induced phenomena, particularly recurring droughts and floods. 

He stressed the imperative for robust global collaboration to counter this pervasive threat, which disproportionately impacts developing nations.

‘‘Ethiopia is a country that believes practical responses are necessary to solve problems sustainably. Climate change cannot be addressed through speeches and discourses alone. It requires taking concrete actions. Ethiopia is implementing policies and strategies that bring about tangible changes.’’

The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized Ethiopia's unwavering commitment to this cause, citing recent successful initiatives, with special focus on the country's green legacy initiative. He noted that Ethiopia is implementing a diverse array of measures to combat climate change, yielding concrete and measurable outcomes.

As a testament to this commitment, Temesgen referenced Ethiopia's Nationally Determined Contribution, voluntary climate change response plan, aligned with the Paris Climate Agreement and set to run through 2030. 

The Deputy PM also outlined the nation's ambitious 30-year strategy for sustainable economic growth and reduced carbon emissions.

‘‘The Green Legacy Initiative demonstrates our desire to develop alongside neighboring countries and our policy-backed approach in action. This year's Green Legacy program officially began a few weeks ago."

He called upon all relevant stakeholders and development partners who love Ethiopia to provide their usual support and participation in the implementing the initiative extending gratitude and respect to all Ethiopians, development partners, civil society members, private sectors, various sections of society, and friends of Ethiopia for their active support and participation in the initiative since its inception.

Temesgen elucidated that climate-resilient green economic development forms a cornerstone of Ethiopia's decennial development plan. He further explained that the country's green legacy initiative is being executed in a manner that fosters regional development and mutual benefits with neighboring nations.

Reflecting on Ethiopia's demonstrated global commitment, exemplified by the planting of over 32 billion seedlings in the past few years through extensive public mobilization, Temesgen urged universal participation in ensuring the success of this year's green legacy initiative.

‘‘The government has a plan to ensure our country's sustainable and green growth by addressing the impacts of climate change. This is reflected in our 10-year development plan, which prioritizes building a climate-resilient green economy."

According to the Deputy PM, one of Ethiopia's main concrete steps to combat climate change and achieve green development is the Green Legacy Initiative. 

"This program, which began five years ago, aimed to plant seedlings over four years. In just the past year, we have achieved remarkable success by planting over 32 billion seedlings, impressing the world.’’

Minister of Planning and Development, Fitsum Assefa, elaborated on Ethiopia's multifaceted approach to addressing climate change. She noted that in fulfilling its international obligations, Ethiopia has revised and submitted its voluntary national climate change response plan to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change two years prior.

 

The ambitious revised plan targets a 68.8 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Fitsum emphasized that the implementation program showcases Ethiopia's dedication to fulfilling its national, continental, and global responsibilities in an integrated manner, while reinforcing the country's exemplary efforts.

‘‘Setting goals and objectives is the first step. The real challenge lies in achieving these goals. To translate the objectives outlined in our Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) into concrete actions on the ground, we have prepared this NDC implementation plan after extensive consultation with relevant stakeholders over the past year."

This plan addresses all sectors that are highly vulnerable to climate change and are major sources of greenhouse gas emissions, including agriculture and forestry, water and energy, transport, industry, urban development and infrastructure, mining, and health. It outlines various policies, strategies, and programs related to these sectors, Fisum explained. 

She also highlighted the pivotal role of seasonal irrigated wheat development programs in bolstering resilience against climate change impacts. In the energy sector, the minister reported Ethiopia's strategic focus on renewable alternatives, underpinned by a clear and forward-thinking policy framework.

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