COLLEGE OF LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE

DEPARETEMENT OF DEVELOPMENT POLICY

Subject: Environmental Management and sustainable Development

Assignment submitted on Evaluation of environmental policy of Ethiopia and

green strategies in line with its Strategic pillars.

Name ID

BY: Belay Sisay ECSU2104258

Submitted to: Dr.Gebre Meruts

DECEMBER 2022

ADDIS ABEBA,

ETHIOPIA

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Introduction

Since the Rio Declaration in 1992, international commitments on the environment, development,
and health have been observed. The Rio Declaration concentrated on the environmental
consequences and potential hazards of development interaction with population .The Libreville
Declaration on Health and Environment in Africa, signed in 2008 by 52 African member
countries, clearly defined the impact of environmental risks on population health and related
vulnerabilities. Poor sanitation, hygiene, and unsafe water supply have been identified as
ongoing major sources of environment-related deaths in the country. The Declaration also
established broad regional guidelines for mitigating the effects of environmental risks in member
countries. A country-specific Situational Analysis and Needs Assessment (SANA) was
conducted in accordance with the Libreville Declaration.

The concept of sustainable development arose as a result of the role of international environment
al agreements. Having recognized the link between environmental protection and development, p
olicies have been developed to incorporate environmental considerations into every nation's deve
lopment effors The international agreement known as Agenda 21, also known as 'The Earth Sum
mit,' establishes certain guidelines such as taking into account the environment, reducing excess 
consumption and production, and recognizing the value of indigenous community knowledge in 
environmental management (Mellese & Mesfine, 2008). In Ethiopia, environmental problems
have been a serious problem affecting the socio economic dynamism. Population growth without
economic advancement has been causing serious environmental damages. Some of the noticeable
challenges are land degradation, soil erosion, loss of natural resources and biodiversity which are
exacerbated by the current world wide issue of climate change.(Mesfin,2010).Renewable natural resource
like land, water and forests and other forms of biodiversity have now deteriorated to a low level of
productivity especially in the highland areas of Ethiopia. Estimates of deforestation, expansion for
economic activity vary from 80,000 to 200,000 hectares per annum. The burning of dung as fuel instead
of using it as a soil conditioner is considered to cause a reduction in grain production by some 550,000
tons annually. The constitution provides some rights of the people and the responsibilities associated to
protect the environment. It also provides the responsibility of government to the healthy functioning of
the environment. But the policy was adopted in Dec, 1997.The adoption the policy was due to the
pressure from abroad and internal problems relating to drought. Nowadays associated with human
security because of the fact that environmental hazards like deforestation, climate change and global

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warming are threatening the life of human beings (Tamiru, 2007). The international actors and scholars
also believe that human beings are dependent on environment. So it became necessary to protect it.
Ethiopia’s natural resources and cultural heritages are intertwined. The rich natural and cultural heritage
infuses satisfaction in daily life and provides a powerful and socially cohesive force in the national
consciousness. It also serves as a major tourist attraction and thereby contributes for the development of
tourist industry. However, much of this heritage and culture is under threat through neglect, decay,
removal or destruction. In a nut shell, the main rationales for introducing environmental policy of
Ethiopia are market failure, externality, and equity and government failure. Mebrahtu.(2021).
Objective of the paper
General Objective of the paper

 The objective of the term paper is to evaluate environmental policy of Ethiopia

Specific objective of the paper

 To shade light on Ethiopia’s Climate-Resilient Green Economy (CRGE) strategy

 To assess (ERGE) practical achievement and challenges

Data

Constitution, environmental and environmental impact analysis proclamation have used for the
policy evaluation.

Method

First, published and unpublished national policies, regulatory and other legal documents were
reviewed and important notes were taken. Then, the notes were synthesized according to themes.

Critical evaluation on the policy

 Evaluating Policy Content: the policy document has clearly articulated the goals of the policy, its
implementation and the underlying logic for why the policy will produce intended change? The
policy has also stated the context of in which the policy has crafted properly. Evaluating the
development of a policy helps to understand the context, content, and implementation.

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The Goal of evaluated policy was to 'improve and enhance the health and quality of life of all
Ethiopians and as well as to promote sustainable social and economic development through the
sound management and use of natural, human-made and cultural resources and the environment

as a whole with a focus on air pollution, occupational safety and health, and
climate change.. As stated on the policy document the envisioned policy have planned to be
implemented through several sectorial policies as well as some cross se

sectorial policies. One sectorial policy specifically addresses climate change and atmospheric
pollution, through:

Promoting a climate monitoring program.

acknowledging a commitment to mitigate emissions, even at low or even insignificant
levels of contribution to global emissions
actively participating in protecting the ozone layer, as a means to reduce vulnerability of
the highlands of Ethiopia
encouraging re-vegetation, monitoring grazing and rehabilitating degraded land to
compensate for high biomass-fuel consumption

 Other sectorial policies include:

soil husbandry and sustainable agriculture

forest, woodland and tree resources
genetic, species and ecosystem biodiversity
energy resource
water resources
mineral resources
human settlement, urban environment and environmental health
control of hazardous materials and pollution from industrial waste
Cultural and natural heritage.
The Reviewer has found that the policy document is reach in its content and
most importantly it has a flow and coherence. With regard to climate Change;
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 The policy emphasizes the need for a climate monitoring program, as the
country is highly sensitive to climatic variability. It recognizes Ethiopia's
environmental, long-term economic and energy interests.
 Evaluating Policy Implementation: Was the policy implemented as intended? The
implementation of a policy is a critical component in understanding its effectiveness. Evaluation
of policy implementation can provide important information about the barriers to and facilitators
of implementation and a comparison between different components or intensities of
implementation.
 The policy documents and EIA proclamation have comprehensive and capable if properly
enforced to protect the environmental damage; however it have a remained as paper value which
unable to outshine as a guardian of Ethiopia green legacy and it is not effective on
implementation. However there is significant development on community mobilization on
plantation, rehabilitation sustainable land management practice and exploiting indigenous
knowledge like konso tracing. The most successful and visible progress in this regard after the
adoption of environmental policy is expansion of hydroelectric power production and building
of Dams for irrigation. The problem starts from luck of coordination, consensus and political
determination to obey the policies, proclamation of EIA and directives accordingly. Although
there is an effort on the on plantation and rehabilitation of damaged areas so far there is luck of
information still on the audit of the progress on the policies in relation to the planned pin points.
If we take for instance how money tries have planted this year? how money of them have
successfully matured ??is still unknown and allot needs to be done on this area to measure
progress.
With regard to implementation of the policy there is luck of coordination and cooperation of
sectors which directly or indirectly have a concern with environmental issues,policies and
proclamations enforceability. There is also luck of awareness among different actors, such as
parliamentarians, various government officials, Woreda administrators, business persons, people
directly affected by development programs and projects, etc.
 Evaluating Policy Impact: Did the policy produce the intended outcomes and impact? Within
injury prevention, the intended impact may be a reduction in injuries or severity of injuries.
However, it is important to evaluate short-term and intermediate outcomes as well.

Ethiopia’s past development has been highly criticized due to lack of integrating
environmental concerns into the development agendas. It seems that only small efforts have been

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made up to date with the institutionalization of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
proclamation. Most development planning have focused on short term economic feasibility and
paid little attention to their environmental impacts. As a result, the country has experienced
serious damages, not only to the environment, but also to the society. On the other hand, the
country currently welcomes huge investment projects mainly targeted at intensification of
agriculture and industrialization. These projects need attention to manage their environmental
impacts. Regardless of the minimal effects of its implementation, Ethiopia has laid a foundation
for this through the introduction of the Environmental Policy and EIA proclamation (Proc. No.
299/2002).Although the implementation of the proclamation is not as successful is it was
expected. . Evident environmental illnesses in urban centers, especially in Addis Ababa, are the
manifestations of the growing challenges. (EPA, 2005) Another study conducted by the EPA
revealed that privately-owned Ethio Coffee and Tea Development and Marketing PLC
established the Gemadro Coffee Plantation Project* without going through any EIA process,
even using land that was not allocated to it. (EPA, 2002) Such actions can have devastating
impacts unless they are subject to the EIA process. EIA must not be seen as merely an additional
bureaucratic burden when a number of studies and policy Gemadro is located in Sheka Zone of
the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Regional State. Sheka Zone is one of the areas
where remnants of virgin forests exist in the country. www.chilot.me MELCA Mahiber 6
documents attest that the environmental condition of the country is alarming. EIA, however, is
no panacea. It alone will not save the country’s environment from the potentially harmful effects
of current development. This does not mean that the only option is ‘no development option,’ but
our development activities should at a minimum go through the EIA process to mitigate the
adverse impacts and to augment the positive effects. Proclamation (Proclamation № 299 of
2002).The proclamation requires an EIA process for any planned development project or public
policy which is likely to have a negative impact on the environment. With regard to development
projects, the proclamation stipulates that no person shall commence implementation of a
proposed project identified by directive as requiring EIA without first passing through
environmental impact assessment process and obtaining authorization from the competent
environmental agency (Art. 3(1)). In line with this, project proponents must undertake EIA and
submit the report to the concerned environmental body, and, when implementing the project,
fulfill the terms and conditions of the EIA authorization given to them (Art. 7). Moreover, the

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proclamation allows for the imposition of a fine between fifty-thousand and one hundred
thousand birr on any project owner who commences implementation of a project without
obtaining authorization from environmental agencies or who makes false presentation in the
environmental impact assessment study report (Art. 18). Furthermore, the proclamation obliges
licensing institutions, prior to issuing investment permits or operation license to projects, to
ensure that the relevant environmental bodies have authorized the implementation of the projects
(Art. 3). In addition, it requires such licensing institutions to suspend or cancel the permit or
license they have issued for projects where the concerned environmental body suspends or
cancels the authorization given for implementation of the project (Art. 12). These provisions are
important to ensure that project owners comply with the EIA requirement. Moreover It has been
recognized that activities in the various economic sectors have the greatest impact on natural
resources in particular and the environment in general. Accordingly, integrating EIA into the
laws, regulations and decision-making process in such sectors is crucial. The sector laws which
have a relation with environment law is Business, investment, fishing water, wildlife, mining and
land law. The integration of all sectors is the key for successful implementation of the policy in
general and the proclamation in particular.

It stipulates that development programs and projects in the country should not be conducted in a
way that cause damage to the environment. In addition, it provides the right of citizens to live in
a healthy and clean environment and the right to be consulted and to express their views on the
planning and implementation of plans, programs, strategies, policies and projects that affect
them. The Environmental Policy of 1997 set out the guiding policy directions to be pursued
pertaining to EIA. More importantly, the Environmental Impact Assessment Proclamation №
299 of 2002 has subjected development projects and public instruments in the country to pass
through an EIA process prior to commencement of operation. Even though EIA has been
introduced as a legal requirement, it is seldom enforced. That many development initiatives and
investment projects are causing huge damage to the forest and wildlife resources of the country
indicates the absence of effective EIA process. There are various gaps and challenges that hinder
the effective enforcement of EIA. Some of the gaps and challenges are as follows. ƒ There is a
gross lack of awareness and widespread misconceptions about EIA in Ethiopia. This is not only
related to the general public but also to some of the main actors in the EIA process. Some even
consider it as obstacle to development activities. EIA needs an extensive human and resource

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capacity, which is lacking in the major implementing organs of the EIA system. ƒ The EIA
Proclamation is a framework law that needs specific regulations, directives or guidelines. Legally
speaking, there are no regulations or other specific rules to support the implementation of the
EIA Proclamation. The procedural and review guidelines prepared by the EPA are still at their
draft stage, leaving the EIA Proclamation ineffective. Moreover, there are a number of gaps
which need to be filled by the guidelines prepared by the EPA. For instance, there are no
guidelines for the registration, accreditation and certification of for those who give consultancy
service on the preparation of EISR. lack of legal and institutional arrangements for effective
coordination and communication among the regional and sectorial offices has created a great
deal of confusion in the EIA process. Furthermore, the EIA lacks power commensurate to its
extensive regulatory functions. It is crippled without a mechanism to compel private or public
development proponents, who by and large refuse to submit their projects for the EIA; ƒ A
shortage of the time allocated for the review process makes the review of the EISR very
superficial; The government has shown a lack of political will to implement EIA law relative to
its commitment to pursue policies for investment and economic growth. The above points lead us
to the conclusion that there is no effective EIA system in Ethiopia. the absence of EIA is not only
prejudicial to the environmental and society, but also it will have detrimental effects on the
development programs and projects. Moreover, it must not be forgotten that most of the
development activities are run with the public money, directly or indirectly. If projects or
programs fail due to environmental reasons, ultimately it will be the public that will suffer from a
triple loss; financial, social as well as environmental. For the full realization of the motto —
“Development without destruction,” there must be political commitment, integration and
capacity building of institutions a must.

2/Green economy strategy in terms of four pillars

Ethiopia aims to achieve middle-income status by 2025 while developing a green economy. Following the
conventional development path would, among other adverse effects, result in a sharp increase in
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and unsustainable use of natural resources. The need for the adoption of
the strategy was to overcome the effects; The Climate-Resilient Green Economy (CRGE) initiative
follows a sectorial approach and has so far identified and prioritized more than 60 initiatives, which could
help the country achieve its development goals while limiting GHG emissions. The green economy plan
is based on four pillars:

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 1. Improving crop and livestock production practices for higher food security and farmer
income while reducing emissions

2. Protecting and re-establishing forests for their economic and ecosystem services,
including as carbon stocks

3. Expanding electricity generation from renewable sources of energy for domestic and
regional markets

4. Leapfrogging to modern and energy-efficient technologies in transport, industrial sectors,

and buildings. 

In agriculture, GHG emissions are attributable to livestock and crops in that order. The current cattle
population is more than 50 million and other livestock nearly 100 million. Livestock generate greenhouse
gases mainly in the form of methane emissions arising from digestion processes and nitrous oxide
emissions arising from excretions. Livestock emissions are estimated to amount to 65 Mt CO2 e in 2010 –
more than 40% of total emissions today. The cultivation of crops contributes to the concentration of
greenhouse gases mainly by requiring the use of fertiliser (~10 Mt CO2 e) as well as by emitting N2 O
from crop residues reintroduced into the ground (~3 Mt CO2 e). • In forestry, the impact of human
activities is a large source of CO2 emissions amounting to almost 55 Mt CO2 e in 2010. Forestry
emissions are driven by deforestation for agricultural land (50% of all forestry-related emissions) and
forest degradation due to fuelwood consumption (46%) as well as formal and informal logging (4%).
Minor sources of emissions today are transport, power, industry, and buildings, as described below. • In
transport, ~75% of the emissions come from road transport, particularly freight and construction vehicles,
and to a lesser extent private passenger vehicles. Air transport also contributes a significant share (23% of
transportrelated emissions). Emissions from inland water transport are minimal. • The electric power
sector only accounts for very low emissions as it is largely based on renewable energy, with hydro power
accounting for more than 90% of total power generation capacity, supplemented by the use of on- and
off-grid diesel generators administered by the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCo). Current
emissions in the energy sector amount to below 5 Mt CO2 e or a share of 3% of the country’s total
emissions. (The global average for electric power generation’s share of a country’s GHG emissions is
more than 25%.) • Given the comparably small share of organised industrial economic activity overall,
industry accounts for only 3% of GHG emissions. At nearly 2 Mt CO2 e or 50% of the 4 Mt CO2 e
emissions from industry, cement is the single-largest industrial source of emissions, followed by mining
(32%), and the textile and leather (17%) industry. Emissions from steel, other types of engineering, the
chemicals industry (incl. fertilizer), pulp and paper industry and food processing together account for only

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around 2% of industrial GHG emissions. • Buildings contribute around 5 Mt CO2 e or 3% to today’s
emissions. Main drivers are emissions related to solid and liquid waste (3 Mt of CO2 e) and the use of
private off-grid power generators in cities (2 Mt of CO2 e).

Practical achievement and challenges

Achievements

Ethiopia’s Economy was on successful Growth trajectory in the last two decades
until the outbreak of epidemic covid 19 shock .but since 2019;due to both man
made and natural calamities the economy is shrinking the environment is damaging
and the country is facing the fourth consecutive years drought in some parts of the
country like somali regions. on the other hand the countries progress on the
hydroelectric energy production a mile stone towards building green economy.
based on the raw data from the midia there is also progress of green legacy with
regard to afforestation and mobilization of people in plantation. The economically
feasible estimated potential of Ethiopia is approximately 30,000 MW, but only 8.82% of this
potential is exploited [3,8]. Given Ethiopia's hydropower potential, this capacity is insufficient to
meet the country's energy demands. As a result, developing the country's abundant
hydropower resources in all schemes holds the key to meeting energy demand in various
sectors such as agriculture, transportation, industries, and services, as well as contributing to
the country's socioeconomic development. With this understanding, the country has initiated a
plan to develop a number of hydroelectric projects, including the 2,160 MW Gilgel Gibe IV
hydropower project and the massive 6000 MW GERD being built on the Abbay (Blue Nile) River,
with the goal of meeting the growing energy demand, as well as a plan to export electric power
to neighboring countries [8].

Challenges

The carbon emission level of the country is increasing as the report from the world Bank in 2022
indicate the emission level is increasing if we take for instance the agricultural sector the
emission level is increasing: The study revealed an increasing trend of GHG from 2003/04 to

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2017/18, where the annual emission increased with an average 3.8 Mt carbon dioxide equivalent
(CO2-eq) for all species and 3.3Mt CO2-eq for cattle alone at national level. Though there is
some variation between regions, methane (CH4) was the major gas emitted from ruminant
production followed by nitrous oxide (N2O), however the emission of N2O was higher (>70%)
in poultry production. The emission intensity from chicken egg and meat, 1.8–3.3 and 2.2–7.2kg
CO2-eq/kg of product, respectively, was much lower than the emission intensity of meat from
small ruminants (16.4–51.5 kg CO2-eq/kg of product) and cattle (34.2–148.2 kg CO2-eq/kg of
product).Implementing the integrated mitigation approach has much pronounced reduction effect
on GHG emissions as well as increasing the productivity of the livestock sector. Unless
mitigation measures are taken, the sector’s emission will increase over time. Thus, federal and
regional governments, and partner organizations working in the sector need to give more
attention and implement the initiatives identified in the Climate Resilient Green
Economy(CRGE) strategy and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
recommendations to mitigate GHG emissions from the livestock sector

Submission Date Jan 25

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