Ethiopia Approves Special Fund for Green Legacy Activities, Rehabilitation of Degraded Lands

Addis Ababa December 24/2024 (ENA) — The House of Peoples' Representatives (HPR) unanimously approved a bill for the establishment and management of a special fund for the activities of green legacy and rehabilitation of degraded lands, crucial for the effective implementation of the Green Legacy Initiative.

In the 12th regular meeting of the council, the Chairman of the Standing Committee on Planning, Budget, and Finance, Desalegn Wedajo, presented a report and a proposal regarding the bill.

The bill will support the effective and continuous management of the Green Footprint Program in Ethiopia. 

Desalegn stated that the green footprint initiative, launched in the last six years, has significantly contributed to the recovery of degraded land. 

He also pointed out that the decree will enable Ethiopia to increase its access to international financial sources in the forestry sector and allow the government to allocate appropriate budgets for the program. 

According to the bill, 0.5 to 1 percent of the total government budget each year will be allocated to the special fund, with states also contributing based on their capacity. 

This legislation marks a significant step towards ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Green Legacy Initiative and its crucial role in environmental conservation and ecological restoration in Ethiopia.