Ethiopia plants 56 billion seedlings to fight climate change

The Ethiopian government has planted more than 56 billion seedlings over eight years through the Green Legacy Initiative.

Billene Seyoum, the Press Secretary for the Office of the Prime Minister, shared these results during the COP31 climate summit in Antalya. The initiative aims to restore degraded landscapes, protect watersheds, and conserve natural resources to build climate resilience. Seyoum explained that the project goes beyond tree planting by focusing on protecting ecosystems that maintain biodiversity and regulate water systems.

These efforts help strengthen the natural foundations that support local communities and protect them from climate impacts. The government also links these environmental efforts to the protection of Ethiopia's coffee heritage. Because coffee production requires specific climatic conditions, the initiative protects the watersheds and ecosystems necessary for agricultural livelihoods. This strategy connects environmental restoration with economic goals, including the expansion of renewable energy through wind, solar, and hydropower projects.

Ethiopia used its pavilion at COP31 to share these experiences with international partners. The country is currently preparing to host COP32 in Addis Ababa in 2027. The government presented the Green Legacy Initiative as a concrete national contribution to the global effort to protect the planet's natural systems.