Ethiopia’s Climate-Resilient Green Economy - Climate Resilience Strategy: Water and Energy

The Ethiopia’s Climate-Resilient Green Economy - Climate Resilience Strategy for water and energy aims at economic growth and poverty reduction by analyzing economic and social impacts of current climate variability and accordingly taking preventive measures for the impacts of future climate change in water and energy sectors to build climate resilience in Ethiopia and deliver an integrated Climate Resilient Green Economy.
Climate change adaptation efforts will be implemented to ensure food security. Access to clean water and sanitation will be enhanced through Ethiopia’s One WASH National Programme.
In order to ensure agricultural sustainability, effective water resource management will be implemented to minimize situations of water scarcity, rainfed agriculture will be strengthened and climate resilient agriculture will be supported.
Access to clean water and modern energy services will be ensured, mainly for women and girls, with the aim of poverty reduction and public health.
Electricity production will be increased by scaling up renewable generation capacity, especially through hydropower generation, to meet the future demand and export additional electricity. Furthermore, private sector involvement will be ensured in energy sector. The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Fund will be established. Public awareness will be raised in energy efficiency.
The level of preparedness will be improved through risk assessment and mapping of climate change and related hazards. Climate planning assumptions will be made on a monthly and yearly basis. According to the results of these assumptions, environmental and social impact assessments will be made regarding electricity production, biomass usage, water resources, agricultural production, forest management, rural poverty, food security. Greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced by improving fuel use efficiency. As a response to climate change for both smallholders and industrial agriculture, well-designed irrigation systems and improved water storage facilities will be developed. Resilience to climate change will be increased in water resources management through Ethiopia’s One WASH National Programme which promotes usage of groundwater resources instead of vulnerable surface water resources. Timely, reliable and usable data will be provided to decision makers at all levels.
The Directorates of the Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy and Regional Governments are responsible for the delivery and implementation of the actions of this Strategy. The Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy will integrate Climate Resilient Green Economy into the existing systems. The Director for Environmental and Social Impact Assessment is responsible for day-to-day co-ordination of the Climate Resilient Green Economy within the Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy. The Ethiopian Energy Authority is responsible for developing and implementing energy efficiency strategies and programs. The Ministry of Agriculture will be in collaboration with the Regional governments and the Agricultural Transformation Agency on irrigation and industrial agriculture. Existing plans on water and energy sectors will be coordinated to accelerate their implementation.