Ethiopia Explores Carbon Markets to Support Sustainable Agriculture

Addis ababa: Ethiopia is stepping up efforts to harness carbon markets as a tool to advance sustainable agriculture, strengthen climate resilience, and create new economic opportunities, officials said. The officials made these remarks during the Second Agriculture Science Seminar Series held in Addis Ababa.According to Ethiopian News Agency, the conference was organized by the Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI) in collaboration with the Ethiopian Academy of Sciences Agriculture Working Group and the Ministry of Agriculture. The event was held under the theme "Carbon Markets in Ethiopia: Opportunities, Governance, and Implications for Sustainable Agricultural Development." The conference brought together government officials, researchers, academics, development partners, private sector representatives, and practitioners.Opening the event, State Minister for Environment, Climate Change, and Demography at the Ministry of Planning and Development, Seyoum Mekonnen, stated that Ethiopia has introduced comprehensive policies and practical measures to address climate change through strengthened mitigation efforts and climate governance. He noted that the country has adopted a Long-Term Low Emissions Development Strategy and a National Adaptation Plan to reinforce its climate response while pursuing a green growth and low-carbon development pathway. Seyoum further emphasized that Ethiopia is expanding investments in renewable energy through the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) alongside solar and wind energy projects to increase clean power generation and strengthen its role as a regional energy hub. The government is also promoting electric vehicles to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector, he added.Similarly, State Minister for Natural Resources Development at the Ministry of Agriculture, Eyasu Elias, affirmed that carbon markets offer Ethiopia an opportunity to translate scientific knowledge, sound policies, and innovation into sustainable economic gains while contrib uting to global climate action. The Green Legacy Initiative (GLI) has evolved beyond a tree planting campaign into a nationwide movement aimed at restoring degraded landscapes, improving climate resilience, conserving biodiversity, and strengthening food security, he added. According to Eyasu, Ethiopia has already laid much of the groundwork required to participate in international carbon markets. The next priority, he said, is to convert these achievements into scientifically verified climate assets capable of generating long term benefits for local communities.For his part, ATI Chief Executive Officer Mandefro Nigussie underscored the need for stronger collaboration among government institutions, research organizations, development partners, and the private sector to support Ethiopia's climate and agricultural transformation agenda through evidence-based policymaking. Participants concluded the seminar by calling for stronger research, improved policy coordination, and enhanced institutional capacity to e nsure carbon markets effectively support sustainable agricultural development, climate resilience, and inclusive rural transformation in Ethiopia.