Ethiopia just made $70 million by selling carbon credits to many countries around the world. Through its Green Legacy plan, Ethiopia grew many trees, which helped it sign deals with groups like the World Bank. The country's forest lands grew bigger, reaching 23.6 percent of its total area. Officials from Ethiopian Forestry Development shared this news yesterday. These new deals let Ethiopia earn money from all those trees it planted.
The Green Legacy plan began in 2019 when leaders wanted to stop losing forests and fix damaged land. When rains come, Ethiopia plans to add 7.5 billion more baby trees from June through September. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed told everyone on Tuesday that they had already beat their big goal of planting 40 billion trees since the program started. The trees help clean the air, stop soil from washing away, and create homes for wild animals.
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa believes African nations can use these carbon markets to make money from their natural resources. When countries plant trees, those trees soak up carbon from the air. Other nations that make lots of pollution pay for these trees to help balance out their dirty air. Ethiopia found a way to turn their tree-planting work into real cash for the country. Other African nations might follow this path.
Forest officials meet with partners from around the world to set up these carbon trading deals. They measure how much carbon the new forests trap each year. Big companies and rich countries pay Ethiopia to help clean up the planet's air. This money helps Ethiopia build more things without needing outside help. The funds also support people who take care of the trees and protect forest areas from damage.
Carbon markets create a win-win situation for both sides—Ethiopia gets money for doing something good, and buyers get to say they helped fix climate problems. As climate change worries grow worse, these kinds of deals might become more common everywhere. Ethiopia shows how poor countries can join the fight against climate change and earn money at the same time. The success proves that green projects can bring real benefits beyond just helping nature.
The Green Legacy plan began in 2019 when leaders wanted to stop losing forests and fix damaged land. When rains come, Ethiopia plans to add 7.5 billion more baby trees from June through September. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed told everyone on Tuesday that they had already beat their big goal of planting 40 billion trees since the program started. The trees help clean the air, stop soil from washing away, and create homes for wild animals.
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa believes African nations can use these carbon markets to make money from their natural resources. When countries plant trees, those trees soak up carbon from the air. Other nations that make lots of pollution pay for these trees to help balance out their dirty air. Ethiopia found a way to turn their tree-planting work into real cash for the country. Other African nations might follow this path.
Forest officials meet with partners from around the world to set up these carbon trading deals. They measure how much carbon the new forests trap each year. Big companies and rich countries pay Ethiopia to help clean up the planet's air. This money helps Ethiopia build more things without needing outside help. The funds also support people who take care of the trees and protect forest areas from damage.
Carbon markets create a win-win situation for both sides—Ethiopia gets money for doing something good, and buyers get to say they helped fix climate problems. As climate change worries grow worse, these kinds of deals might become more common everywhere. Ethiopia shows how poor countries can join the fight against climate change and earn money at the same time. The success proves that green projects can bring real benefits beyond just helping nature.
