The Roots of the Initiative

Ethiopia faced a silent emergency that demanded immediate action:

• Deforestation Crisis: The nation lost ~97% of its native forests due to population growth and agricultural expansion, leaving just 15% forest cover by 2019.
• Climate Vulnerability: As a drought-prone country relying on rain-fed agriculture, Ethiopia experienced a 0.37°C temperature rise per decade, intensifying floods, landslides, and food insecurity.
• Soil Degradation: Annual erosion stripped away fertile topsoil equivalent to 100,840 football fields, threatening livelihoods for 85% of the population.

The Green Legacy Initiative (GLI) responded with a bold vision: 50 billion trees by 2030, 22 million hectares of restored land, and a doubling of forest coverage to 30%.

National Mobilization Strategy

The initiative's success stems from an inclusive, science-based approach:

Mass Civic Mobilization

Record-Breaking Participation: 25+ million Ethiopians joined planting campaigns. In 2023 alone, 566 million trees were planted in a single day, a feat eclipsed by 600 million trees in 2024.

Grassroots Integration: Schools became planting hubs, engaging youth in growing fruit trees for food security.

Ecological & Economic Design

Native Species Focus: 55% of seedlings were fruit trees (avocados, mangoes, apples), boosting nutrition and farmer incomes while restoring soil health.

Job Creation: Over 767,000 green jobs emerged, primarily for women and youth, through 121,000 nurseries nationwide.

Policy & Global Alignment

Ethiopia linked the GLI to its Climate Resilient Green Economy (CRGE) strategy and UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Key Achievements (2019-2025)

Environmental Impact

The GLI's benefits extend far beyond tree counts:

Global Recognition

Ethiopia now exports its green model to the world:

• International Partnerships: Pakistan, Kenya, and Uganda launched sister initiatives after training exchanges.
• UN Endorsement: The 2024 UN Climate Change Meeting hailed the GLI as a blueprint for climate adaptation.

Challenges & Future Path

Despite remarkable progress, hurdles remain:

Ethiopia's 2025 agenda includes 8.4 billion seedlings—exceeding its 7.5-billion target.