Ethiopia plays vital role in combating climate change: Ministry

Addis Ababa, August 13, 2025 (FMC) – The Ministry of Water and Energy has emphasized that tackling the impacts of climate change demands unified action from all sectors, highlighting Ethiopia’s significant contributions toward global mitigation efforts.

Speaking at a pre-summit exhibition organized ahead of the Second African Climate Summit in Addis Ababa, State Minister Sultan Wolle said the two-day event aims to showcase Ethiopia’s and Africa’s strides toward a sustainable, low-carbon future driven by renewable energy initiatives.

Sultan noted that climate change has severely affected ecosystems, economies, and public health worldwide, with developing countries like Ethiopia experiencing prolonged droughts, unpredictable rainfall patterns, declining agricultural productivity, and diminishing water resources. He stressed that mitigating such challenges requires the concerted engagement of governments, the private sector, civil society, and development partners.

“Ethiopia is not merely a victim of climate change; it is actively working to be part of the solution,” he said, underlining that climate action is a shared responsibility for both developed and developing nations.

The state minister pointed to major national initiatives—including large-scale hydropower projects, expanded solar energy facilities, and other clean energy programs—that aim to reduce dependence on fossil fuels while promoting sustainable energy sources.

He also cited a range of policy frameworks underpinning Ethiopia’s climate resilience agenda, including the Climate Resilient Economy Development Strategy (2011), the Climate Resilient Green Development Strategy (2015), the National Adaptation Plan (2017), and the updated Nationally Determined Contribution (2024).

In addition, he highlighted the achievements of the Green Legacy Initiative, which over the past seven years has planted more than 47.5 billion multipurpose seedlings, playing a key role in environmental restoration and carbon sequestration.

Sultan said Ethiopia’s proactive policies, large-scale renewable energy investments, and reforestation efforts reflect its steadfast commitment to environmental stewardship and international cooperation in addressing the climate crisis, as reported on Tuesday by ENA.