Ethiopia partners with UNDP, others to Combat Deforestation and Revitalize Coffee Sector

Ethiopia, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), has officially launched the “Preventing Forest Loss, Promoting Restoration, and Integrating Sustainability into Ethiopia’s Coffee Value Chains & Food Systems” (FOLUR) project. This initiative, inaugurated by Fitsum Assefa, Minister of Planning and Development, aims to combat deforestation, foster forest restoration, and integrate sustainability into the nation’s coffee value chains and food systems.

Minister Fitsum Assefa emphasized the government’s commitment to extensive tree planting and landscape management through the Green Legacy initiative.

She acknowledged the challenges posed by deforestation, land degradation, climate change, and population pressures, particularly affecting coffee-producing areas. The FOLUR project is seen as a crucial step in addressing these complexities.

The project aligns with Ethiopia’s national objectives, contributing to the development of land use policy, the forest sector development program, and the Ethiopian coffee strategy.

It also supports the Green Legacy initiative, the Climate Resilient Green Economy (CRGE) strategy, and the updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).

The FOLUR project is expected to make a substantial impact, adopting the National Integrated Land Use Policy, avoiding 7,288,195 tons of CO2 equivalent emissions, improving livelihoods for 440,000 households, and restoring 10,500 hectares of unproductive coffee gardens.

Additionally, it aims to manage 60,000 hectares of Afromontane Forest and bring 2,031,502 hectares of land under improved use practices.

Effective coordination and collaboration among stakeholders are crucial for the project’s success, as emphasized during the steering committee meeting in Addis Ababa.

UNDP Deputy Representative to Ethiopia, Ms. Charu Bist, highlighted FOLUR’s alignment with climate resilience efforts, emphasizing its global impact on deforestation and livelihood improvement.

FOLUR signifies Ethiopia’s dedication to environmental sustainability, aiming to build a prosperous and resilient future.

The project’s success relies on the joint efforts of the government, partners, and local communities, contributing to a healthier planet and a thriving coffee sector in Ethiopia.