Addis Ababa:Ethiopia has pledged to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 74.3 percent by the year 2030, compared to a business-as-usual scenario, as announced by Minister of Water and Energy Habtamu Itefa. This commitment was highlighted during the 65th session of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) held in Addis Ababa on October 12.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the minister emphasized that Ethiopia aims to achieve this ambitious target through renewable energy initiatives, extensive tree planting, and the restoration of degraded landscapes. The country is already facing severe climate challenges, including unpredictable rainfall, frequent droughts, and devastating floods.
Minister Itefa noted that Ethiopia is at the forefront of the global climate crisis, with anthropogenic climate change disrupting its natural balance. The country is grappling with shifting rainfall patterns and frequent extreme weather events that impact agriculture, water availability, and energy production. He stressed the importance of taking proactive measures to combat these challenges rather than simply enduring their consequences.
The Ethiopian government has made the Climate-Resilient Green Economy strategy a key national policy, expanding renewable energy production through hydropower, wind, and solar power. Ethiopia is also extending its clean electricity grid to neighboring countries to aid Africa's energy transition. The Green Legacy Initiative has played a significant role in increasing Ethiopia's forest cover from 17.2 percent to 23.6 percent by planting over 56 billion trees.
The minister highlighted that Ethiopia's climate goals are backed by scientific evidence, with the country actively engaging in IPCC methodologies for preparing national greenhouse gas inventories. IPCC Chair Jim Skea commended the Ethiopian government and Addis Ababa for their excellent preparation for the meeting and expressed appreciation for their hospitality.
Fetene Teshome, Director General of the Ethiopian Meteorological Institute, pointed out that although African countries contribute minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions, they are among the most vulnerable to climate change. He emphasized the urgent need for stronger adaptation strategies and improved resilience, stressing the importance of the IPCC's work in providing essential scientific assessments and guiding global climate efforts.
