Manila:The Minister of Water and Energy, Habtamu Itefa Geleta, announced that Ethiopia is targeting a 74.3% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. This ambitious goal was revealed during an international meeting focused on advancing scientific cooperation on climate change mitigation and adaptation.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the minister highlighted that Ethiopia’s strategy to achieve this target involves the development of renewable energy, nationwide reforestation, and ecosystem restoration. The country’s Climate-Resilient Green Economy strategy underpins its national approach, emphasizing investments in hydropower, wind, and solar energy.
Ethiopia is also working to expand electricity connections with neighboring countries to foster the development of clean energy infrastructure across Africa. Reforestation plays a significant role in this strategy, with the Green Legacy Initiative resulting in the planting of over 56 billion trees, aiding in landscape restoration and enhancing soil and water resources.
Minister Habtamu noted that Ethiopia’s forest cover has increased from 17.2% to 23.6%, underscoring the initiative’s broader impact beyond tree planting, such as restoring water bodies and improving soil fertility. He further stressed the importance of scientific research in shaping the country’s environmental policies, stating that Ethiopia uses IPCC methodologies for national greenhouse gas inventories and scientific assessments to guide climate planning.