• Policies and Strategies for CSA

The Ethiopian government has put in place a number of policies, strategies and institutions that are designed to support climate change adaptation, mitigation and sustainable development as a whole. Policies, laws and strategies relevant to climate change in Ethiopia include the Environmental Policy of Ethiopia (1997), Environmental Impact Assessment proclamation (EIAP) of 2002, National Adaptation Program of Action (NAPA) of 2007, Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP) of 2009, Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP) of 2010, Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMA) of 2010, Ethiopia’s Agricultural Sector Policy and Investment Framework (PIF) of 2010-2020, Agriculture Sector Programme of Adaptation to Climate Change (APACC) of 2011, Ethiopian Programme of Adaptation to Climate Change (EPACC) of 2011 and Climate Resilient Green Economy Strategy (2011).

Environmental Policy of Ethiopia (1997): The Government of Ethiopia (GoE) issued an Environmental Policy in 1997. The aim was to repair the economic and social costs of environmental damage from widespread mismanagement of environmental resources, and to provide overall guidance in the conservation and sustainable utilization of the country’s environmental resources. The policy considers the vulnerability of the country to climate variability and aims to promote a climate-monitoring programme, take appropriate mitigation measures, develop the energy sector, actively participate in protecting the ozone layer, and maximize the standing biomass in the country through a combination of reforestation, agroforestry, rehabilitation of degraded areas, re-vegetation, control of free-range grazing (in the highlands) and seeking financial support for offsetting carbon dioxide emissions from such activities.

Environmental Impact Assessment Proclamation of 2002: An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a tool used for the environmental assessment of projects to ensure that the environmental implications are taken into account before decisions are made. In Ethiopia, the EIA Proclamation of 2002 and the procedural guidelines developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set the framework for EIA processes. With regard to development projects, the proclamation stipulates that no person shall begin implementation of a proposed project identified by directive as requiring EIA without first passing through an EIA process and obtaining authorization from the competent organization.

National Adaptation Program of Action (NAPA) of 2007: As a Party to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Ethiopia prepared its NAPA in 2007. The NAPA represented the first step in coordinating adaptation activities across government sectors. The NAPA document for Ethiopia identified immediate and urgent adaptation activities that address current and anticipated adverse effects of climate change including extreme climate events. It provides a framework to guide the coordination and implementation of adaptation initiatives in the country through a participatory approach; building synergies with other relevant environmental and related programmes and projects.

Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP) of 2009: The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP) has been authorized by the African Heads of State and Government as a framework for restoration of agriculture growth, food security and rural development in Africa. One of the pillars of CAADP is extending the area under sustainable land management and reliable water control systems, and CSA falls under this pillar. Ethiopia developed a CAADP Compact in 2009 and this provides the consensus around the goals and priorities that Ethiopia has set to accelerate agriculture growth, improve food security and thereby livelihoods, and the partnerships and assistance required to achieve these goals. In Ethiopia, government programmes and project activities have been aligned with the CAADP pillars. Accordingly, the Sustainable Land Management Programme, which has been financed by the World Bank and other donors, is implementing pillar I of CAADP, which is improving natural resource management and utilization.

Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP) of 2010: In 2010 Ethiopia developed a Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP) for the period 2010/11-2014/15. The GTP recognizes that the environment is a vital and important pillar of sustainable development, and states that building a ‘Green Economy’ and ongoing implementation of environmental laws are among the key strategic directions to be pursued during the plan period. It outlines building a climate-resilient green economy as a strategic priority for the country.

Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMA) of 2010: Ethiopia has confirmed its commitment to the Copenhagen Unity and has submitted a statement to the UNFCCC highlighting potential NAMAs in various areas including agriculture and forestry. In forestry this includes enhanced reforestation actions and sustainable forest management, reclamation of degraded lands, controlled grazing and area closures, and creation of forest buffers to halt desertification. In agriculture this includes composting and practicing of agroforestry.

Ethiopia’s Agricultural Sector Policy and Investment Framework (PIF) 2010-2020: The PIF provides a strategic framework for the prioritization and planning of investments that will drive Ethiopia’s agricultural growth and development. It is designed to operationalize the CAADP Compact signed by the Government and its development partners. The PIF states that climate change is a crosscutting issue that will be addressed in all areas of the PIF. In view of the high level of agro-climatic diversity in Ethiopia, climate change is likely to affect agriculture in many and varied ways. The PIF states that a number of instruments need to be considered for adapting to climate change. These include research on new crops and farming systems suited to hotter or drier conditions, water harvesting, agroforestry, and improved short-term and long-term weather forecasting and risk management measures to cope with increasing climatic variability. Mitigation measures such as carbon sequestration through conservation agriculture and reforestation should also be considered. In this way, climate change issues will be mainstreamed into the PIF by undertaking carbon accounting studies of all key investments and identifying opportunities for adaptation and mitigation.

Agriculture Sector Programme of Adaptation to Climate Change of 2011: The Agriculture Sector Programme of Adaptation to Climate Change was formulated in 2011 with the following objectives:

• To realize the commitment of the country to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), that demands the integration of climate change into sectorial policies and development efforts;
• To have a working climate change adaptation plan, that after implementation, minimizes the vulnerability of the agriculture sector and the community to climate change hazards, and increases the strength of the sector to tolerate predicted climate change impacts;
• To mainstream and incorporate climate change adaptation into the social system and existing development efforts from bottom to top levels, making use of people’s mobilization and coordination (FDRE, 2011).

Ethiopian Programme of Adaptation to Climate Change (EPACC) 2011: EPACC aims to build a climate-resilient economy through adaptation initiatives implemented at sectorial, regional and local community levels. The EPACC replaced the NAPA in 2011 and takes a more programmatic approach to adaptation planning. It outlines 29 components that include objectives around mainstreaming climate change within government policies and plans. In response, the country has prepared sectorial and regional programmes of adaptation to climate change.

Climate Resilient Green Economy Strategy, 2011: The Climate Resilient Green Economy Strategy known as CRGE was developed in 2011 and launched at the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Durban (South Africa) in 2011. The strategy takes an economy-wide approach to greenhouse gas reduction. According to the strategy, Ethiopia aims to achieve carbon-neutral middle-income status before 2025. The strategy is based on four pillars, of which the first two pillars are mainly related to CSA.

• Agriculture: Improving crop and livestock production practices for greater food security and better income for farmers while reducing emissions.
• Forests: Protecting and re-establishing forests for their economic and ecological value, including carbon stocks.
• Power: Expanding electricity generation from renewable sources of energy for domestic and regional markets.
• Transport, industry and buildings: Advancing to modern and energy-efficient technologies in transport, industrial sectors and buildings.

Summary of key policies and strategies relevant to CSA in Ethiopia