Addis Ababa, November 9, 2026 (FMC) – A seedling may appear small against the vastness of a changing planet. Yet, when millions of hands come together to plant billions of trees, the meaning of that simple act grows far beyond the soil.
In Ethiopia, the Green Legacy Initiative has become more than an environmental undertaking; it is increasingly shaping the country’s engagement with the world.
Launched in 2019, the initiative has mobilized a nationwide movement that has seen more than 56 billion seedlings planted.
Beyond the numbers, the effort is helping restore degraded landscapes, protect watersheds, curb soil erosion and expand forest cover. Ethiopia’s forest coverage rose from 17.2 percent in 2019 to 23.6 percent in 2023, reflecting the scale of its restoration drive.
But Ethiopia’s green ambition does not end at its borders. By sharing seedlings and restoration experience with fellow African countries, the country has extended its environmental engagement into the wider region.
What takes root on Ethiopian soil can also nurture cooperation across borders, where ecological challenges rarely respect political boundaries.
The same vision extends into the energy sector.
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), alongside expanding wind, solar and geothermal resources, forms part of the country’s drive to harness clean energy and reduce dependence on carbon-intensive development.
The message is clear: economic progress and environmental responsibility need not travel separate roads.
This is also where Ethiopia’s green agenda meets diplomacy. At international climate negotiations, the country has consistently emphasized climate justice, equitable access to climate finance and the responsibility of developed economies to honour their commitments.
Its Climate-Resilient Green Economy strategy provides a framework for pursuing economic growth while limiting emissions.
The Green Legacy, therefore, carries a message that reaches well beyond the planting season. It connects environmental restoration with regional solidarity, clean energy, climate finance and the pursuit of sustainable development.
It also opens opportunities for international partnerships in green investment, technology transfer and carbon markets.
For Africa, a continent facing mounting climate pressures despite contributing relatively little to global emissions, Ethiopia’s experience offers an important lesson in the value of homegrown action and South-South cooperation.
The continent’s response to the climate challenge must not be confined to demands for international support; it must also draw strength from its own resources, knowledge and collective resolve.
As the world gathers for COP31 in Türkiye, Ethiopia’s green story carries added significance. The country is preparing to host COP32 in Addis Ababa in 2027, bringing the global climate conversation to African soil once again.
From the hands that plant seedlings to the diplomatic tables where climate commitments are negotiated, Ethiopia’s Green Legacy connects local action with global aspirations. Its roots are in the earth, but its reach extends to the international stage.