In an effort to counter the growing impacts of global climate change, Ethiopia has officially launched a new $9.8 million project to further scale up nature-based solutions. This major initiative is supported by the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and will be implemented under the coordination of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
This new project, titled “Scaling up the Green Legacy Initiative best practices to enhance the climate resilience of smallholder farmers and vulnerable groups in Ethiopia,” will play a critical role in making the country better prepared for climate change. It aims to strengthen the long-term resilience of vulnerable communities by expanding ecosystem-based adaptation practices across the nation.
Margaret Oduk, Head of the UNEP Addis Ababa Liaison Office, stated that environmental restoration must go beyond tree planting, emphasizing that the primary focus should be on restoring ecosystems. She added that this approach must strengthen local livelihoods, protect water catchments, improve soil and water systems, and help communities withstand future climate shocks with resilience.
Implemented in partnership with the Government of Ethiopia, the project will be jointly executed by Ethiopian Forestry Development (EFD) as the lead entity, the Pastoral and Environmental Network in the Horn of Africa (PENHA), the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), national institutions, and the respective regions and woredas where the project takes place. This effort builds upon the solid foundation of Ethiopia’s pre-existing “Green Legacy” program to further deepen its climate adaptation impact.
The Director General of Ethiopian Forestry Development, Kebede Yman, noted that the Green Legacy Initiative is much more than a standard reforestation effort. He explained that it is a comprehensive undertaking aimed at building climate resilience, creating green jobs, ensuring food security, empowering women and youth, and strengthening ecosystems across Ethiopia.
Ethiopia is currently facing the severe consequences of climate change firsthand. Notable indicators include rising temperatures, erratic and distorted rainfall patterns, recurrent droughts and floods, and the widespread land degradation resulting from these factors. These changes are putting heavy pressure on natural ecosystems and the lives and livelihoods of rural communities.
For millions of smallholder farmers who depend heavily on rain-fed agriculture, these climate impacts are causing significant harm by reducing crop productivity, worsening food insecurity, and exacerbating water scarcity. Economic losses are also mounting over time; climate impacts are currently estimated to reduce Ethiopia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 1 to 4 percent, and this figure is projected to reach up to 10 percent by 2045 if effective climate adaptation measures are not taken.
By implementing ecosystem-based climate adaptation activities across three major regions—Oromia, Amhara, and Central Ethiopia—as well as six midland and highland districts, the project will achieve several core objectives. It will restore 18,000 hectares of degraded forest and agricultural land while placing 42,000 hectares of natural forest under climate-resilient and sustainable management.
Additionally, it will establish climate-resilient forestry and agroforestry practices on 7,200 hectares of land. The initiative will also provide climate-resilient livelihood improvement methods and better market access for 3,000 people. To ensure adaptation plans are effective, it will make climate information services accessible and strengthen institutional capacity, financial mechanisms, and knowledge management to broadly implement Green Legacy best practices.
By combining sustainable forest management, the restoration of degraded landscapes, climate information services, and livelihood support, this initiative moves away from isolated actions. Instead, it addresses climate change, biodiversity loss, and rural poverty simultaneously through an integrated landscape and ecosystem-based approach.
Beyond its immediate impacts, the project aims to position Ethiopia as a regional leader in ecosystem-based climate adaptation. It is expected to generate innovative practices that support national climate goals, fulfill national adaptation priorities, and contribute to global commitments under the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
