Ethiopia is one of Africa's most populous countries, with more than 80 million inhabitants. Over the next 15 years, Ethiopia's goal is to become a middle income country in line with South Africa and Egypt. This will be achieved without increasing greenhouse gas emissions (currently estimated at about 150 million tons annually).
Most of Ethiopia's emissions come from agriculture and deforestation. Tree planting, renewable energy and increased productivity in agriculture will ensure that the total emissions are kept at current levels even if emissions in some sectors will increase as a result of economic growth. The climate partnership with Norway has three components: investment in forestry, energy and agriculture.
"Climate change is not a future threat for the people of Ethiopia. It is a reality today. Our people have not caused climate change, but we must protect ourselves against the effects. We have the opportunity to show that in the 21st century, a new form of green growth possible, where we can avoid many of the mistakes that the developed world have made, while at the same time, growth and prosperity can be created for millions of Ethiopians, "said Ethiopia's Prime Minister Meles Zenawi at the launch.
"Ethiopia's ambition is an example of developing countries taking great responsibility in the fight against global warming. Ethiopia comes to the climate summit and presents one of the world's most ambitious green development plans. They are not waiting for the world to act, "said Environment and International Development Erik Solheim.
The partnership is the first in its kind that will get support from the new Energy and Climate Initiative (Energy +). Climate The partnership is also part of the Government's Climate and Forest Initiative, and involves a broader climate and development policy dialogue between Ethiopia, Norway and the UK.
Press release in Norwegian: http://www.regjeringen.no/nb/dep/md/aktuelt/nyheter/2011/norge-og-storbritannia-inngar-klimapartn.html?id=666344