Addis Ababa, November 18, 2011 (Addis Ababa) - The government of Ethiopia launched here on Friday its strategy to deliver green economic growth for the country.
The plan named “Climate Resilient Green Economy (CRGE)” is released just weeks before the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change’s Conference of Parties (COP17) takes place in Durban, South Africa.

It sets out how the government’s dual objectives of lifting Ethiopia to middle income status by 2025 can be achieved while keeping greenhouses gas emissions constant, and marks an important milestone on Ethiopia’s path towards sustainable development.

Dr. Tewldeberhan Gebreegziabher, Director General of the Ethiopian Environment Protection Authority, said Ethiopia like any other nation, has to take measures to adapt the inevitable reality of climate change.

“But we are going much further than that we are demonstrating that we can deliver that also effectively addresses climate change and the first step towards making our vision of a Climate Resilient Green Economy a reality, and thereby protecting and advancing the welfare of the people.”

He said the plan will affect up to two-thirds of the economy and is based on four key pillars.

Improving crop and livestock production practices for higher food security and farmer income at reduced emissions, protecting and re-growing forests to make use of their economic and ecosystem service, including their capacity to store carbon are among the impact.

Expanding electricity generation capacity from renewable sources of energy for domestic and regional markets, leapfrogging to modern and energy-efficient technologies in transport, industrial sectors and buildings included in the effects.

According to Director, 150 billion US dollars is needed to achieve these goals over the coming 15 years.

He said the finance is expected to be secured from the fund to be allocated to the green development program and from the international climate finance.

Economic Advisor of the Prime Minister, Neway Gebreab on his part said a concerted effort from the government, civic society, scholars and the public is needed to realize the green economic growth.

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