ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopia is pioneering significant environmental conservation efforts through its Green Legacy initiative, described as a “green revolution” by a senior official at the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

According to Ethiopian News Agency, the Africa Program Manager at WMO’s Regional Office, the Green Legacy program is crucial for reducing Ethiopia’s carbon footprint and preserving its environment. In an interview with ENA, Afiesimama praised Ethiopia’s use of hydropower and solar energy as exemplary green energy solutions. He emphasized the international community’s expectation for other nations to emulate Ethiopia’s environmental strategies. “Ethiopia is carrying out a green revolution at the forefront,” he noted, underscoring the need for continued support to the Ethiopian government to fulfill its ambitious environmental goals.

The program, initiated by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, has achieved remarkable results in mitigating environmental degradation and promoting climate adaptation and mitigation efforts. Over the past five years, Ethiopia has planted over 32 billion tree seedlings, aiming to increase this number to 50 billion in the next two years. This reforestation effort is not only crucial for restoring degraded landscapes but also for enhancing the country’s biodiversity and combating climate change effects.

Moreover, Afiesimama highlighted Ethiopia’s proactive stance in the Early Warning for All Initiative, positioning the country as a leader in Africa for reducing the impacts of extreme weather events. He projected significant socio-economic benefits for Ethiopia in the coming years, including an expected improvement in the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) due to these environmental and climatic initiatives.

Prime Minister Ahmed recently announced an increase in the nation’s forest coverage to 23.6 percent in 2023, up from 17.2 percent in 2019, marking a substantial achievement in Ethiopia’s environmental conservation efforts.