Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Set to Reverse Deforestation, Drive Global Carbon Reduction: German Deputy Ambassador

Addis ababa: Germany's Deputy Ambassador in Ethiopia, Ferdinand von Weyhe, has commended Ethiopia's inspirational Green Legacy initiative, noting its global significance to reduce carbon emission. Ethiopia's Green Legacy Initiative is a transformative environmental campaign aimed at combating climate change, deforestation, and land degradation by planting billions of trees.According to Ethiopian News Agency, the Deputy Ambassador emphasized the importance of this initiative in a recent interview. He highlighted that the Green Legacy is a unifying effort, bringing together the entire nation under the leadership of the government to increase forest coverage and combat environmental degradation. Von Weyhe personally participated in the initiative, planting hundreds of trees himself, and stressed the essential role of the project in preserving soil, enhancing microclimates, and capturing global carbon emissions.Launched in 2019 by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the Green Legacy initiative has mobilized the nation to plant over 48 billion seedlings, fostering ecological restoration, strengthening food security, and enhancing biodiversity. This massive reforestation effort represents a significant African-led climate action designed to reduce carbon emissions and build climate resilience.In addition to environmental efforts, the German Deputy Ambassador also commented on Ethiopia's comprehensive macroeconomic reforms. He described the reforms as a crucial step towards a market-driven economy, which empowers young entrepreneurs and liberates market elements. The reforms, launched in July 2024 under the Home Grown Economic Reform Agenda, aim to stabilize macroeconomic imbalances, control inflation, and foster high-quality, private sector-led inclusive growth.The macroeconomic reform is delivering substantial results, including reducing inflation to a single digit, increasing foreign exchange inflows, and significantly reducing foreign debt. Von Weyhe praised these efforts and encouraged the Ethiopian government to con tinue on this positive trajectory.