Dejasu Bayleyegn, the spokesman for the ministry of Environment and forest in Ethiopia talked to Eco-generation about the success of Ethiopia in implementing a strategy for a green economy and youth participation when it comes to environmental protection.

I began by asking him how he describes Ethiopia?s development and success in the areas of environmental protection and conservation. On top of that, I asked him if he believes the current strategies that have been laid out by the government have brought a fundamental change in conserving the environment.

 According to Mr. Bayleyegn, when it comes to climate change and polluting the environment, Ethiopia has contributed a little if not none per economy to the global climate change crisis. But the country has become a major victim because of climate change. Ethiopia?s Economy is mainly dependant on traditional agriculture which makes the country even more vulnerable to catastrophes that happen as a result of climate change.  When it comes to strategies, in line with commitments within the Copenhagen Accord, the ministry of environment and forest (EPA), on behalf of Ethiopia, compiled from various sectors and submitted the countries voluntary nationally appropriate mitigation Actions to the Executive secretary of the UNFCCC in January 2010. The mitigation actions and the strategies the government formulated contain aspirational targets for actions across the sectors. These sectors include Agriculture, Forest administrations, industry, construction and transport. One of the ambitions planes Ethiopia has put forward is its plan to maintain its carbon emission to 150mn metric ton by 2030.  To achieve this ambitious plan Ethiopia?s strategy to tackle climate change mainly focuses on Agriculture. This is because the traditional way of Agriculture has been the main source of emission in Ethiopia. Emissions as a result of agriculture account almost 87% of the overall emission figure in Ethiopia. This can be characterized by deforestations for agricultural expansion, traditional production of livestock and poor environmental awareness. In order to tackle this problem the government is engaged in emission control and disaster recovery projects in order to minimize agricultural emissions. Since 2010, nationwide campaigns have been led by the government in order to create Environmental awareness among all factions of the general public. Ethiopia?s work in the areas of conservation was not done in vain. Now, the country?s forest coverage has increased dramatically and it is now 15.5 % from >3% it was 26 years ago. Although there is still a lot to be done, given these achievements, it is fair to say Ethiopia is moving in the right direction when it comes to Environmental conservation.

Mr. Bayleyegn also stressed the role of Ethiopian youth as the core of the strategy in Environmental conservation. According to Mr. Bayleyegn, the strategy aims to make the Ethiopian youth part of the solution in conserving the environment. One approach the government is taking to ensure youth participation in conservation is the creation of Eco-friendly Job opportunities that can benefit the youth economically. Bee keeping is one notable example as an eco-friendly job opportunity that the spokesman gave me. Furthermore, Mr. Bayleyegn stressed, the government is engaged in creating environmental awareness amongst all factions of the society and particularly among the youth in order to have a national consensus about climate change and environmental protection. School curriculums in primary and secondary school now extensively focus on environmental protection so that children and the youth would understand the dangers of climate change and the importance of environmental conservation.

Finally, Mr. Bayleyegn took the opportunity to address the world youth and Eco-generation members. Mr. Bayleyegn appreciated Eco-generation and its members for their commitment towards a better environment and the work they are doing to create environmental awareness among children and youth.  On top of that, the spokesman also affirmed the support of the ministry of Environment and Forest for the campaigns and seminars Eco-generation is planning to lead in Ethiopia in May and afterwards.