Vol.6, No.2 February, 2009 United Nations Environment Programme Addis Ababa Highlights African Union Summit: The Environment Thread

The theme of the 12th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) that took place in Addis Ababa 1- February 2009 was “Infrastructure Development in Africa: Transport and Energy”. The background paper for the summit noted that transport and energy infrastructure in Africa is grossly inadequate as compared to other regions of the world; that access to electricity averages 8% of the population compared to 70 to 90% in other major zones of the developing world. The continent produces 7% but consumes less than % of the world’s energy. Transport costs for landlocked countries account for 70% of the value of exports. The paper notes that these defi cits mean that Africa is highly uncompetitive in global markets. These and other issues occupied a special part of the H.E. Mr. Jean Ping makes a point as new AU Chairperson pre-Assembly deliberations and exhibition at the Libyan Leader H.E. Muammar Gaddafi listens. Infrastructure Day (28 January) before the opening of the Executive Council (29-0 January). on Africa were easily dominant. Several leaders made spirited interventions either to support or As in previous summits, the twin issues to complement core ideas put forward by, among of peace and security and the ways and means for others, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi (Ethiopia), attaining continental political unity occupied pride President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (Liberia), President of place among high-profi le debates. In the more Abdoulaye Wade (Senegal), and President Yoweri inclusive discussions where non-state actors were Museveni (Uganda) who were joined by the World allowed in and invited to contribute, the current Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and global fi nancial and economic crisis and its impact African Development Bank (AfDB) in identifying what needs to be done and proposing ways in which the continent can respond. INSIDE The UN Secretary-General Mr. Ban Ki-moon UN in Addis once more attended in person, and there were also several top UN offi cials and Heads of international Solid Waste Management in Addis Ababa......  organizations including the Director-General Pastoralists’ Adaptation to climate change: Project of the United Nations Industrial Development Approved......  Organization (UNIDO) and the Director-General of the International Organization for Migration Ethiopia Activities (IOM). Prime Minister Attends fi rst National Climate Change Conference...... 6 Climate change remains a major concern Civil Society Climate Network Established in Ethiopia.7 In their addresses and interventions, several Ethiopia Environment Outlook (EEO) Launched...... 10 Heads of State and Government and high-level

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Highlights Vol. 6, No.2 February, 2009 African Union/ International Events African Union Summit: The Environment Thread Continued from page 1 The Secretary-General had voiced similar views earlier when he addressed the UN Country Team for Ethiopia in the morning of 1 February at the UNDP Conference Room and in the afternoon of the same day when he held a Town Hall meeting with UN staff at the AU Headquarters. The President of the AfDB Mr. Donald Kaberuka said African economic growth prospects require a quantum leap in investment in roads, mass transport, ports and airports as well as energy - both renewable and non-renewable. To this end, he said, he looked forward to the Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen which he hoped would truly incorporate Africa’s clean energy needs, by opening up avenues within this framework to develop the continent’s enormous hydropower potential. Speaking on behalf of the UN system in Africa, Secretary-General of the UN Mr. Ban Ki-moon and his wife the Executive Secretary of UNECA Mr. Abdoulie Janneh had on 29 January told the Executive Council (Ministers of Foreign Affairs) that climate invited guests and leaders touched on climate change must continue to engage our collective change as one of the major challenges confronting consciousness. The continent will bear most of the the world. brunt of climate change and therefore needs to factor in mitigation, adaptation, financing and technology H.E. Mr. Meles Zenawi painted a grim picture issues into its policy agenda. Urging the Council of failing states in Africa if urgent steps were not to take a keen interest and to ensure active African taken to deal with the threat of climate change. involvement in global negotiations, he said action is He said although Africa is not to blame for global needed at several levels but an immediate concern warming caused by greenhouse gas concentration relates to global negotiations that will determine the in the atmosphere, the continent would suffer future management of climate change. the consequences of climate change if adequate resources were not provided for adaptation. Other Decisions of environment ministers endorsed speakers at the summit took a similar position. The Executive Council considered reports In his address to the Heads of State and Government, from several ministerial bodies, among them the the Secretary-General of the United Nations Mr. African Ministerial Conference on Environment Ban Ki-moon said, “Climate change remains on the (AMCEN). The Assembly of Heads of State and front burner of global concerns. Various studies have Government considered and adopted the composite shown that Africa will be one of the regions most report of the Executive Council that incorporated the affected even though it has not contributed much decisions on the outcomes of ministerial bodies. In to the problem. Our objective, however, should its decision EX.CL/Dec.18 (XIV): Decision on the be seamless cooperation to tackle this problem by Report of the 12th Session of the African Ministerial showing political will, providing resources and Conference on Environment (AMCEN), Doc. seeking an international treaty by the end of this EX.CL/471 (XIV), the Executive Council endorsed year through the United Nations Climate Change the decisions and recommendations of the AMCEN Conference in Copenhagen. Time is short to achieve 12th session held in Johannesburg in June 2008. The these goals. This is why 2009 has been designated Council requested the AU Commission and the New as the year of climate change. I trust that recent Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) to steps taken by African countries to adopt a coherent support and facilitate the implementation of the approach on climate change will enable them to participate actively in the forthcoming negotiations”. Continued to page 3

Highlights Vol. 6, No.2  February, 2009 African Union/ International Events

African Union Summit: The Environment Thread Continued from page 2 decisions and recommendations. It also called upon UNEP to continue to support the activities of AMCEN, and for partners to support the implementation of the decisions and recommendations. Most significantly, the Council called upon Member States and Regional Economic Communities to put in place institutional arrangements that are required at the national, sub-regional and regional levels to guide the implementation of the decisions and recommendations. Specialised Technical Committees (STCs) to cover environment and water One of the most anticipated outcomes of the summit was the designation of Specialised Technical Committees (STCs) of the AU. The STCs are sector ministerial bodies that in the architecture enshrined in the Constitutive Act they consider issues for transmission to the Assembly of Heads of State and Government through the Executive Council. After inconclusive discussion at earlier summits the leaders issue had commissioned a study by the AU Legal Counsel. That study originally came up with a proposal for about 21 STCs. The number was subsequently boiled down to the proposal for 14 STCs that was tabled and approved at this year’s summit. This new configuration of STCs, unless otherwise further modified as the Union Government structure is finalised, has a composite committee The President of South Africa Mr. Kgalema Motlanthe, on “Agriculture, Rural Development, Water and welcomed Environment”. This will therefore incorporate both AMCEN and the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW), more or less as originally designed in mineral and biological resources, which constitute the Abuja Treaty. The AU Commission is expected an important source of foreign currency earnings to consult the ministerial bodies in order to agree the for the economic development of the continent. modalities for the coordination and harmonization Among those facilitating the necessary mapping of their activities with the Union. is the Norway-based UNEP GRID/Arendal, part of the Division of Early Warning and Assessment Continental shelf (DEWA). .

In his address to the Executive Council UNEP delegation the AUC Chairperson Mr. Jean Ping reminded Member States of the approaching deadline for The Executive Director of UNEP delegated preparing and submitting claims for the extension Mr. Peter Acquah (Deputy Director, Regional of the limits of their continental shelf that was fast Office for Africa & Secretary to AMCEN) and Mr. approaching. Under the UN Convention on the Law Strike Mkandla (Representative to AU, UNECA of the Sea the deadline for such submissions is 12 &Ethiopia) to cover proceedings of the 12th May 2009. The previous summit had emphasised Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads the major geopolitical and strategic stakes linked of State and Government and the 14th Ordinary to the African continental shelf and its abundant Session of the Executive Council.

Highlights Vol. 6, No.2  February, 2009 UN in Addis Solid Waste Management in Addis Report by Bezawit Eshetu Waste management, or rather the absence of viable waste management in many rapidly growing African cities, is one of the most pressing environmental and health challenges. The giant city of Addis Ababa is one of those making efforts to grapple with this challenge, with technical and other support from local and international experts. To that end the International Labour Organization (ILO – Sub Regional Office for Eastern Africa) in partnership with the Addis Ababa City Administration has developed and started implementing the project “Employment Creation through Sustainable Solid Waste Management (SWM) Services in Addis Ababa”. Recent activities of the project include: Mr. George Okutho and Mr. Feleke Yimer • Promoting Information, Education, and Commu- nication (IEC) on the city’s solid waste management. communication, efforts to improve public attitudes • Conducting a baseline survey on public attitudes as well as behavior and policies, especially those and behavior on SWM; situation analysis that complement other national efforts. • Preparing a draft IEC strategy on SWM. • Developing and planning to introduce a digital li- Mr. Mesfin Yilma and Dr. Emmanuel G/yohanness brary on public education, for use in environmental edu- conducted a baseline survey on Knowledge, Attitude cation. and Behavior (KAP). Dr Emmanuel explained that three representative sample sub cities were chosen A one-day consultative workshop was convened for the study and the focus was on household waste. by ILO -Sub Regional Office on 29 January 2009 This was because of the total waste generated in the at Ras Hotel, Addis Ababa. The objective of the city about 76% was from households, according workshop was to share with key stakeholders to previous records. They tried to review the KAP the findings of the studies carried out and their level of the society towards solid waste management recommendations. Mr. George Okutho, Director of concerning the 3Rs: Reduce, Recycle and Reuse. ILO -Sub Regional Office in Addis Ababa, spoke The data collected from household was through at the gathering. He said that the project is part of a survey based on a questioneer, focus group the ILO decent work country program for Ethiopia discussion (mainly waste collectors) and other and is executed in partnership with the Addis Ababa informants. City Administration. The ILO country program is also engaged in additional projects in cotton and According to the study, textile sectors and in improving the production and • More than 50% of the Addis Ababa society is competitiveness of floriculture. less concerned about waste quantity generated in the city. They do not even know “koshe” (the waste dump- In addition to creating employment opportunities ing). in the solid waste sector, the SWM project • Most of them don’t consider factory waste, haz- improves the occupational safety and health of ardous waste, and electronic waste to be very harm- solid waste workers. Its contribution to reduction ful. of environmental degradation is also beneficial. • Most of them don’t have awareness and knowl- Furthermore the project supplements the efforts of edge on various SWM options or bodies working on the Federal Government of Ethiopia’s as enshrined SWM. With regards to practicing the 3Rs, more than in the country’s “Plan for Accelerated and Sustained 70% of them don’t practice them and disposal methods Development to End Poverty (PASDEP). Mr. Okutho are poor and unsafe. went on to reiterate that the ultimate goal of the • The role of media is very low; however, the so- project is creating decent employment opportunity ciety is interested to learn about SWM via media espe- in the solid waste sector, thereby developing an cially through radio. integrated solid waste management approach. This would achieve the public education strategies Ato Mesfin recommends that in order to alleviate the and polices comprised of information, education, Continued to page 5

Highlights Vol. 6, No.2  February, 2009 UN in Addis Pastoralists’ Adaptation to climate change: Project Approved The Secretariat of the Spanish Millennium of Government, Development Goals Achievement Fund (MDG- communities, and other F for short) in January 2009 approved the project relevant stakeholders on adaptation to climate change by pastoral to respond to situations communities. The Multi-Donor Trust Fund Office that threaten the lives of UNDP, based in New York, communicated the and well being of a decision to the UN Country Team. This means that significant part of the the project will be signed soon and can commence population. implementation. .

Expected Pastorialist

The US$4 million project, “”Ethiopia: Enabling outcomes of the ILRI by Picture Pastoral Communities to Adapt to Climate Change project include and Restoring Rangeland Environments”, is jointly mainstreamed climate led by UNDP and UNEP and will involve substantial change mitigation and field work by the Food and Agriculture Organization adaptation options, (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) strengthened capacities as well as government agencies and community of Government and organizations. Its aim is, 2011, to contribute to pastoral institutions the achievement of the country’s UN Development to effectively respond to climate change risks and Assistance Framework (UNDAF) objectives challenges, and enhanced pastoral community (Humanitarian Response, Recovery and Food coping mechanisms and livelihoods. Security) of significantly increasing the capacities

Continued from page 4 Solid Waste Management in Addis Ababa low level of knowledge, poor attitude and undesired involving many stakeholders and due to existence of practices in solid waste, awareness creating education barriers to attitudinal and behavioral changes. Thus could play a big role. Media should play a big role this strategy will serve as a resource for developing to channel the information to society. In addition policies, project design and implementation, and waste education should be community-based and monitoring and evaluation. Furthermore the role activity related, with specific attention to women of women and youth in solid waste management since they are closer to the issue s far as domestic should be given priority . waste is concerned. Finally, a coordinated approach The workshop participants discussed ways to of formal and non-formal education as well as improve “Koralio” after listening to the live religious, traditional, cultural education should be program on Sheger FM 102.1. Ato Alemu, the used to create a level of awareness in the society program coordinator of the show, revealed that they that a clean environment or city is their right and are working to inform the audience about SWM responsibility. and other related environment topics. He offered to work with interested parties to entertain plausible Mr. Tilahun Fekade from the Federal Environmental and sound program ideas and said the program is Protection Authority gave a detailed overview of open for public participation. the draft citywide strategy for IEC on the SWM Ato Tadesse Gebreselassie, project coordinator system of Addis Ababa. Mr. Tilahun pointed of the SWM program emphasized that in order to out that the strategy was developed focusing on reach the level where the society will not consider internationalization of the 3Rs concept, community waste as waste only but as an asset, all stakeholders participation, and stakeholder coordination in the should coordinate for a fruitful outcome. He also city’s SWM system. IEC interventions in SWM is mentioned that the digital library, which is also part essential due to the complexity of environmental of the project plan, would serve as a resource center issues, scale of intervention (which is often city level) for SWM that the public should exploit.

Highlights Vol. 6, No.2  February, 2009 Ethiopia Activities Prime Minister Attends first National Climate Change Conference Report by Ms. Bezawit Eshetu

• To inaugurate the National Climate Change Fo- rum and to invite all interested stakeholders to join the forum as well as contribute their financial and intellec- tual resources • To share current initiatives and efforts that exist in the country in the areas of adaptation and mitigation • To join and exploit other regional and global movements with regards to climate change • To come up with a concrete way forward, togeth- er with all stakeholders.

Greater coordination needed Dr. Aberra Deressa, Chairman of NCCF and State Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MoARD) pointed out that the presence of His Excellency Prime Minister Meles Zenawi showed how the government of Ethiopia is serious on climate change issues. Dr. Aberra said the need to form a National Climate Change Forum Dr. Tewolde Berhan G/Egziabher and Ms. Janet McKinley arose from the fact that even though different sectoral offices, research and academic institutes as well as The National Climate Change Forum (NCCF) staged development practitioners in Ethiopia have been its biggest event, the first ever National Climate engaged in climate change adaptation and mitigation Change Conference in Ethiopia, held on 15 January efforts, their activities were not coordinated. This 2009 at the United Nations Conference Centre caused hindrances for developing and implementing (UNCC) in Addis Ababa. viable national adaptation policies. This forum will coordinate efforts nationwide, build technical His Excellency Mr. Meles Zenawi, Prime Minister and institutional capacity of nations (states in the of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, federation), to enable Ethiopia to exploit and benefit graced the event and officially opened the meeting from opportunities that climate change brings like after a pace-setting speech. Participants included carbon trading schemes and other mechanisms government bodies, non-governmental organizations, promoting sustainable development. civil society organizations, UN agencies, diplomatic missions, donor agencies, research and academic National and global efforts: “sisters on the institutions, religious and community leaders and planet”. the private sector. The Chairperson of Board of Directors at Oxfam Objectives of the conference America Ms Janet McKinley gave the audience a global perspective of climate change. Ms. McKinley Mr. Abera Tola, Oxfam America’s Regional Director started with the positive stance of President Barrack for the Horn of Africa, whose organization is the Obama to combat climate change with any nation current secretariat of NCCF gave the welcoming around the world and the new US congress pledge to address and outlined the four objectives of the pass climate legislation and spurring new investment conference, which was designed as a steppingstone in clean energy alternatives. She foresaw benefits for future collaborative efforts nationally to tackle for Ethiopia in the readiness of the government of the effects of climate change. The objectives are: United States of America to a potential allay in efforts

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Highlights Vol. 6, No.2  February, 2009 Ethiopia Activities Civil Society Climate Network Established in Ethiopia Climate change has caught on as a burning issue among various segments of Ethiopian society. The latest manifestation of this trend was provided on 26 January 2009 by the launch of a Civil Society Network for Climate Change. The event was held at the Axum Hotel, in the capital city, Addis Ababa. The indefatigable Forum for Environment (FfE) provides the current secretariat of the network that organized one day “Climate Kiosk” to mark the day. The Climate Kiosk brought together different actors on climate change in the country including government offices, civil society organizations, international organizations and donors. It is a platform to know who is doing what and to discuss on the impacts, adaptation and mitigation strategies and in general solutions to cope with climate change. A parallel event was an exhibition in which various organizations working on climate change and related issues presented posters, publications, photo Ms. Mahalet Eyassu galleries, demonstrations on energy efficient stoves and the like. project on capacity building for carbon finance through the Clean Development Mechanism The guest of Honor, Ato Mululaem, the holder (CDM) told the gathering that Ethiopia has not of the Green Hero award, shared his experience on been benefiting from carbon trading schemes in the impact of climate change on agricultural activities spite of the favorable conditions in the country. He in Ethiopia on behalf of Ethiopian farmers. He said said Ethiopia has a potential to benefit from carbon Ethiopian farmers are prone to climate change trading due to abundant land and labor resources, problems like variable rainfall patterns, drought, different agro-ecological zones, biomass utilization, flooding, frost and in some cases hail. Emergence and adoption of sustainable waste management. and intensification of acute water diseases, malaria However Ethiopia has a low price in carbon trade and other climate related diseases are evident. because of the lack of experience and climate risks. Depletion of groundwater and drying up of wells has UNDP has been working on building institutional, made access to clean drinking water critical in some organizational as well as financial capacities of the areas. Getting adequate supplies of fuel wood (which nation to implement CDM projects and to strengthen is the main energy source in most households) has existing projects. become difficult. The poor Ethiopian farmer may have made a very negligible contribution to green Professor Sabine Troger from ENDA Ethiopia, house gas emissions responsible for climate, but he one of the panelists, said that scientific evidence along with millions of other farmers in developing indeed shows that there is climate change occurring nations are highly affected, Ato Mulualem said. This in Ethiopia. She reported that during her field is because he lacks knowledge of modern farming visit to various parts of the country with exchange practices, access to medical facilities, technological students from Germany, she got a chance to see advancement for efficient energy sources and the extent of environmental degradation. ENDA financial capacity. He concluded by expressing Ethiopia’s plan for sustainable land management endorsement of the network established, because he includes mainstreaming climate change to increase said it is through such kinds of bodies that farmers can agricultural productivity and environmental get means and access to climate change adaptation protection. She suggested that Civil Society and mitigation techniques. Organizations could help communities to adapt and mitigate the effects of climate change because they Mr. Robert Kelly from the UNDP/UNEP help to:

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Highlights Vol. 6, No.2  February, 2009 Continued from page 6 Ethiopia Activities Civil Society Climate Network Established in Ethiopia

• Listen to the people /farmers and include their Mission perspectives The network will: • Build capacity, strengthen discourse and reflec- tion on climate change  Raise awareness on climate change, • Establish means and ways for participating, and  Support capacity building initiatives on climate create interactive methods change, • Play a role in increasing awareness and advo-  Support action oriented research and dissemi- cacy on a large scale. nation activities designed to influence public attitudes and policies, Ms. Mahalet Eyassu the Projects  Establish a platform, which will Coordinator of the Climate synergize civil society’s efforts in Kiosk outlined the project’s combating climate change, mission, vision, objectives and  Facilitate consultations among future plans as below. stakeholders on climate change is- sues. Background Values  The Green Forum 2007 that held the first national meeting • Transparency, Pluralism, Sus- on climate change has stirred the tainability, Accountability, Integrity & establishment of a civil society co- Partnership. alition on climate change.  On behalf of eight Euro- Objectives pean Ecumenical Agencies (E8) DanChurchAid, an international  Raising awareness on Climate NGO, hosted a one day experi- Change ence and information sharing  Capacity Building meeting with Ethiopian partner  Experience sharing and docu- CSOs in the beginning of Novem- mentation ber 2008.  Action oriented research  The outcome of the meet- Mr. Ayele Kebede of Forum for Environment  Resource mobilization ing was the establishment of an Advocacy working group. The network’s future plans are:  Members of the Advocacy working group are the founding members of the National Climate Change Net-  Work closely with the National Climate Change work of Civil Society Organizations. Forum that was formed recently.  Work closely with other Civil Society Organiza- Founding members tions who are interested in working on Climate Change and who want to become member of the Network.  Action for Development (AfD),  Open membership for those interested, who  DanChurchAid (DCA), can apply to the Secretariat.  Forum for Environment (FfE),  Poverty Action Network Ethiopia (PANE), Ato Negusu Aklilu the Coordinator of Forum For  SOS Sahel Ethiopia and Environment announced that the forum is working  Sustainable Land Use Forum (SLUF). to launch the African Climate Change Appeal which support African efforts to strongly negotiate for equal opportunity with developed nations on Vision issues of climate change negotiations towards new  To see an environment where men and women arrangements for a global regime to succeed the of Ethiopia are equally best enabled to cope with imme- Tokyo Protocol provisions after 2012. diate and future impacts of climate change.

Highlights Vol. 6, No.2  February, 2009 Continued from page 5 Ethiopia Activities Prime Minister Attends first National Climate Change Conference

to tackle climate change, and the development of ecology of cropping patterns are inevitable. The funding mechanisms and opportunity for adaptation reasons for this optimism are: strategies in developing countries like Ethiopia. It could also be that Ethiopia with enhanced technical • Policies and strategies have been put in place and financial capacity could serve to demonstrate for environmental protection low carbon energy technologies and also attract • Initiatives like the Billion Tree planting activities international carbon trading opportunities. are being carried out • The wide crop genetic diversity will make adap- Since the damage caused by the already accumulated tation easier green house gas emissions will last long, finding • Presence of internal political stability and, most adaptation mechanisms is mandatory. To that end import of all, decentralization of state power will en- Oxfam America is working hance effective local management, which will be regu- hard to ensure that the above lated by local community orga- opportunities are fast-tracked nization. in developing nations. The organization has launched an However he said we initiative called “sisters on should bear in mind some the planet”. This initiative is of the global challenges aimed at tackling the impact caused by climate change. of climate change on women Among these is potential and children, who in spite exacerbation of the now of being highly affected are globally growing terrorism ignored when climate change increases due to increasing issues are being dealt with. resource needs. He mused: Ms. McKinley emphasized Will it push on us a new the need for equal protection wave of colonial aggression and equal opportunity for due to lack of capacity and all, so that the developing finance? Will it merely nations must not be left to force waves of helpless face the climate change environmental refugees to challenge alone. They overwhelm us resulting in overuse of resources? should be enabled to take H.E. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi advantage of the innovations and advancements to combat High-level readiness to this global threat. combat climate change Climate change threatens Ethiopia’s environment His Excellency Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said the issue of climate change today is not whether or Dr. Tewolde Berhan Gebre Egziabher, Director not to stop global warming, but rather the ability General of Ethiopia’s Federal Environmental to stop it from passing the threshold, which would Protection Authority, highlighted some of the result in catastrophes and calamities. Ethiopia like environmental and climate change challenges any other developing nation is in the front line Ethiopia faces. He said he is optimistic about the against the effects of climate change in spite of the country’s future, even though 90% of the population fact that she has little to do with the causes. What lives on mountainous areas which are delicate and is worse is that due to lack of capacity and because made more vulnerable by intensive utilization of of financial constraints these countries fail to adapt resources; even though it is expected that the country adequately. Ato Meles said that the forum will may face positive impacts of climate change like serve as means to tackle these challenges, and the increased rainfall as well as negative impacts like Government of Ethiopia will support it efforts in flooding, soil erosion and drought; even though the this regard. chances of emerging new human, animal and plant diseases; and increases as well as shifts in agro- In addition to the development strategy, the Continued to page 11

Highlights Vol. 6, No.2  February, 2009 Ethiopia Activities Ethiopia Environment Outlook (EEO) Launched Report by Ms. Mahelet Guoshe

The Ethiopia Environment Outlook (EEO) report was launched on 5 February 2009 at the Beshale Hotel, Addis Ababa, not far from the offi ces of the Federal Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). Dr. Tewolde Berhan Grebregziabher, Director- General of the EPA, was joined at the launch by Strike Mkandla, UNEP Representative to the African Union (AU), to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and Ethiopia. After welcoming remarks by Mr. Tesfaye Woldeyes who coordinated the writing, Dr. Tewolde presented the report and commented on the challenges that confront such a pioneering effort. He thanked the staff from the EPA at both federal and regional level and in other government departments as well as UNEP, who had made the report possible. He said it was diffi cult to produce an up to date and therefore accurate report of this kind because collection of environmental data is a diffi cult exercise, particularly where there is rapid change that makes data obsolete quickly. He said although Ethiopia is well endowed with natural Norway had made it possible. It built on UNEP resources, the lack of capacity to effectively know environment reports from the Division of Early and harness those resources for economic growth Warning and Assessment (DEWA) that supports are a cause of the country’s poverty. He encouraged the development of national reports like the the audience to read the report critically and identify Ethiopian one. National versions of other products inaccuracies so that later reports can improve on it. like the widely acclaimed “Africa: Atlas of Our Changing World” are also being prepared. He noted Speaking on behalf of the UN Country Team and that Ethiopia has led the world in the Billion Tree UNEP, Strike Mkandla congratulated the EPA Campaign In this and in the course of the Ethiopian for successfully completing the challenging task Millennium Campaign that the massive loss of the of putting together the “Ethiopia Environment country’s forest resources and tree cover can be Outlook” He said the report was a timely and reversed through the mobilization of the population important tool for environmental management. It is and the commitment of all concerned institutions not only a tool but also a weapon in the fi ght against a of government and the contribution of civil society deteriorating environment because it will arm those and the private sector. in the frontline in order to position environmental management as a critical factor in economic and Ato Tesfaye Woldeyes gave an overview of the social engineering by showing that environmental structure and content of the report. He said it had conservation is not only a cost but an essential borrowed methodology like the scenarios used in underpinning of viability in natural resource based the Africa Environment Outlook (AEO) produced sectors. It would also show that pollution of the under the auspices of the African Ministerial environment in the long term will require costly Conference on Environment (AMCEN). clean-ups and threaten health and well-being. The report was also a symbol of maturing collaboration According to the report, there was a marked between UNREP and Ethiopia’s EPA, he said. change in spatial extent of vegetation cover with in Development partners such as the Government of Continued to page 11

Highlights Vol. 6, No.2 10 February, 2009 Ethiopia Activities Continued from page 9 Prime Minister Attends first National Climate Change Conference

Prime Minster said, the Ethiopian Government the Ethiopian context in various sectors (agriculture, is implementing an agricultural growth strategy water resources, biodiversity, energy, health and focusing on protection and rehabilitation of gender) the conference participants discussed on agricultural resources, environmental protection what the Ethiopian government, development and management programs, and it has developed partners, the international community and the a strategy for substituting fossil fuels with biofuels general public should do to mitigate and adapt to and other renewable energy sources. Thus Ethiopia climate change. As a way forward, it was suggested is more or less on the right path of sustainable to: development with enhanced adaptation capacity that will also mitigate the impact of climate change. However Prime Minister Meles emphasized that • Build institutional and human capacity as well as the forum should look forward to work with the financial capacity to deal with climate change by secur- governments of developing as well as developed ing support from multilateral and bilateral funds. nations to harness resources and technologies to • Strengthen the existing coordination mecha- maximize global efforts to tackle the common nisms for collaborative effort. problem, climate change. • Develop National climate change policies, strat- egies and programs, with emphasis on agricultural de- The way forward velopment, disaster and risk management, gender and low income and marginalized communities, and promo- After hearing detailed impacts of climate change in tion of clean alternative energy resources.

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15 years time span, forest areas mainly on hill spots like soil and water conservation techniques, and and river banks have reduced by 51 present and also tree planting. It also calls for further research that a 2 percent reduction in acuci wood land and increase can support planners and policy makers in the in bare land area, which amount to 15 percent. The decision making process. report also provides data on large vegetation cover Presentations by Ms. Alemthehay Woldeab and Mr. loss, huge soil erosion, decline in water quality and Berhanu Solomon focussed respectively on GIS/ availability etc. and proposes solutions like creation RS data in support of the EEO (the case of the Rift of alternative livelihoods to alleviate the already Valley area) and GIS/RS application (the case of existing pressure on land resources, the adoption and Worajarso). These presentations were followed by application of appropriate conservation practices a lively discussion among the participants.

“The contents of this newsletter do not necessarily Addis Ababa Highlights Team reflect the views or policies of UNEP or the editors, Feedback: [email protected] nor are they an official record. The designations Editor-in-Chief: Strike Mkandla employed and the presentation do not imply the Layout: Eden Mesfin , Abreham Seyoum expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of Production: Bezawit Eshetu, Mahelet Guoshe, UNEP concerning the legal status of any country, Selamawit Gudeta, Hilma Nangombe, Haileyesus territory or city or its authority, or concerning Brook, Marianne Akumu the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.”

Highlights Vol. 6, No.2 11 February, 2009