Ethiopia has launched a new US$9.8 million climate resilience project aimed at strengthening ecosystem restoration and supporting vulnerable communities affected by climate change. The initiative is backed by the Least Developed Countries Fund of the Global Environment Facility and implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
The project, titled “Scaling up the Green Legacy Initiative best practices to enhance the climate resilience of smallholder farmers and vulnerable groups in Ethiopia,” will expand ecosystem-based adaptation efforts across the country. The programme focuses on helping communities better prepare for future climate challenges through sustainable environmental restoration and climate adaptation measures.
According to Margaret Oduk, Head of UNEP’s Addis Ababa Liaison Office, the initiative goes beyond tree planting by restoring ecosystems in ways that improve livelihoods, protect watersheds, strengthen soil and water systems, and help communities withstand climate-related shocks.
The project is being implemented in partnership with the Government of Ethiopia through Ethiopian Forestry Development, alongside several regional and environmental organizations. Officials say the programme builds on the country’s existing Green Legacy Initiative while increasing its climate adaptation impact.
Ethiopia continues to face severe climate-related challenges, including rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, droughts, floods, and land degradation. These environmental pressures are affecting millions of smallholder farmers who rely heavily on rain-fed agriculture, leading to declining agricultural productivity, growing food insecurity, and water shortages.
Economic impacts from climate change are also increasing, with estimates suggesting climate-related losses are already reducing Ethiopia’s GDP by up to 4 percent and could reach 10 percent by 2045 without stronger adaptation efforts.
The new initiative will promote ecosystem-based adaptation across Oromia, Amhara, and Central Ethiopia regions. Planned activities include restoring 18,000 hectares of degraded forest and agricultural land, managing 42,000 hectares of natural forest under climate-resilient systems, and expanding plantation forestry and agroforestry practices across 7,200 hectares.
The programme also aims to support 3,000 people through climate-resilient livelihood opportunities and improved market access while providing climate information services to strengthen adaptation planning. In addition, the project will focus on improving institutional capacity, financing systems, and knowledge sharing to scale up successful Green Legacy practices nationwide.
By integrating forest restoration, sustainable land management, climate services, and rural livelihood support, Ethiopia aims to address climate change, biodiversity loss, and rural poverty through a long-term ecosystem-based adaptation strategy.
Officials say the initiative could also position Ethiopia as a regional leader in climate adaptation and ecosystem restoration while supporting the country’s commitments under the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals.
