Green Legacy Initiative Plays Major Role in Ethiopia’s Certification for IFSS.

Addis Ababa: The Green Legacy Initiative in Ethiopia has created the ideal conditions for obtaining certification in forestry management, according to the East Africa Coordinator for the Forest Stewardship Council.According to Ethiopian News Agency, the Green Legacy Initiative is a flagship program initiated by Prime Minister Abiy in June 2019. Ethiopia has been demonstrating its ideal climate-resilient green economy by planting billions of seedlings during the past five years. As it is vulnerable to climate change and environmental degradation, Ethiopia has planted billions of seedlings over the years. The initiative is critical to the country's aspirations to build a green and climate-resilient economy.The Interim Forest Stewardship Standard (IFSS) for Ethiopia was launched on Monday by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), an international non-profit organization founded in 1993, to promote sustainable forest management. This standard will enable Ethiopia to access global markets for certified forest p roducts, unlocking opportunities in niche markets while increasing the value of verified ecosystem services, particularly carbon, water, biodiversity, recreation, and culture.The IFSS promotes forest management through FSC certification, strengthening the conservation of Ethiopia's rich biodiversity. The FSC certification ensures the sustainable management of timber, non-timber products, and other forest products throughout the supply chain. Ethiopia has become one of over 85 member countries to receive administrative approval from the council.In the past five years, Ethiopia has planted more than 40 billion multi-purpose saplings, increasing its forest cover to over 23 percent. In an exclusive interview with ENA, Annah Agasha explained that Ethiopia offers a favorable environment for forestry, noting its rich biodiversity and indigenous trees that provide vital climate, social, and economic services.Ethiopia's rich, various forest trees and biodiversity, with some species found only in the country, if managed properly, the country can achieve better forest production, she said. Agasha also acknowledged Ethiopia's efforts to meet the international standards set by the council for forestry management certification. She highlighted that the country has worked diligently to restore degraded lands and ensure food security through the Green Legacy Initiative.According to her, the initiative played a crucial role in Ethiopia's inclusion in the council's forestry management program. "Ethiopia is one of the iconic countries rich in biodiversity, home to a wide variety of species, some of which are endemic to the country. Communities can adopt this standard and implement forestry activities at the local level through participatory forest management approaches. This will contribute to improving the quality of forests, which, in turn, can lead to better forest products."Looking ahead, Agasha expressed optimism about continued collaboration to create a favorable environment for Ethiopian forestry products to compet e in the international market. "We are very happy with Ethiopia's forestry development program. We have worked together through many stages to help it reach this management level. As part of the country's forestry development, we are committed to supporting Ethiopia's progress," she stated.Jens Kanstrup, a senior expert at Forests of the World, emphasized that the management level Ethiopia has reached strengthens environmental protection. He explained that the Green Legacy program in Ethiopia aligns with the standards of the Forest Development Management Council. "By planting trees for production, it is important to consider the environment and include indigenous species in the redevelopment project," he said, stressing the importance of sustainable practices for future generations.He also assured that continued support for Ethiopia's forestry development program would remain a priority.