KEY POLICIES AND GOVERNANCE APPROACH

Ethiopia has ratified the Basel Convention, Stockholm Convention and the Rotterdam convention. Article 44 of the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) asserts that “All persons have the right to live in a healthy and clean environment”. In addition, article 92 of FDRE constitution states government has to ensure all Ethiopians live in a clean and healthy environment. [6]. In addition to what is stated in the constitution, the country has set policies and a number of related proclamations on environmental issues as legal frameworks for governance of environmental pollution.  These include the Environmental Policy (1997), the Proclamation on Environmental Impact Assessment (No. 299/2002) and the Proclamation on Environmental Pollution Control (No. 300/2002) which provides the regulatory framework for air pollution control in Ethiopia. Sub-Article 6/1/b of the Environmental Pollution Control Proclamation No. 300/2002, for example, specifies ambient air quality standards and provides emission limits for stationary and mobile air pollution sources and the Industrial Pollution Regulation (No. 159/2008). Furthermore, Ethiopia produced its Environmental Health Situational Analysis and Needs Assessment (SANA) report in 2010 as part of the global endeavor to characterize and underscore the importance of connecting health and environment [7].

Ethiopia also adopted a solid waste proclamation as federal law in 2007 which mandates safe, designated waste sanitation areas for people and the environment, as well as household separation of recyclables, and community-level waste management plans [8].

SUCCESSES AND REMAINING CHALLENGES

In recent years, Ethiopia has become a regional leader in solid waste management. One incredible example is the country’s work in the Koshe dump site, the only landfill in Addis Ababa,  which has been transformed into a new waste-to-energy plant, the first such project on the continent. The plant incinerates up to 1,400 tonnes of waste every day—roughly 80% of the city’s rubbish—supplying the capital with 25% of its household electricity needs [9].

However, despite the important strides and ratification of key conventions, challenges remain in Ethiopia. Policies for environmentally sound management of hazardous chemicals and wastes are still at a very early stage and not effective in preventing illegal dumping of waste as well as contamination of water, soil and air resources [9].

INITIATIVES AND DEVELOPMENT PLANS

The country has been investing in a number of mega projects aimed at increasing the renewable energy supply from hydropower, wind, and geothermal sources and attention has been also given to promotion of improved energy saving technologies [10].  Such initiatives have significant impact in reducing the current reliance on biomass energy sources causing air pollution, health risks, deforestation and land degradation. The recent green legacy initiative that aims to plant 20 billion seedlings by 2024 [11] is also an important stride in mitigating the effects of pollution if continuous follow-up is in place so that the planted seedlings could grow and eventually act as carbon sinks.

Beautifying Riverside Sheger Project, which is an initiative launched by the Prime Minster in 2019  with an estimated cost of 29 billion birr ($900 million), aims to enhance the well-being of Addis Ababa  residents by mitigating flooding and pollution through the creation of public spaces, parks and green areas, bicycle paths and walkways covering 56 km along the riverside [12] . The first phase of the project has been completed, with the inauguration of Sheger Park, Entoto Park, and Renovation of the Grand Meskel Square, which equipped the public gathering space with integrated facilities, including an underground parking space that  can accommodate 1,400 vehicles [13][14]

To support Ethiopia to tackle the pollution challenges, the UNEP’s Chemicals and Waste Management Programme is supporting the country with a three-year project to enhance institutional capacity for sound management of hazardous wastes and persistent organic pollutants. The aim of the project is to update existing policies, strategies and regulatory frameworks as well as enforcement mechanisms. As part of the project, Ethiopia will also work towards creating a more synergies between government institutions, as well as engaging in dialogue on mainstreaming chemical management into national plans and institutions. As part of the project, Ethiopia also tries to address the lack of knowledge in regards to  criminal implications of environmental violations [14].

GOALS AND AMBITIONS  

Ethiopia joined the Climate and Clean Air Coalition in 2012. As a part of the coalition, Ethiopia aims at building on existing work to reduce short-lived climate pollutants (SLCP) emissions from the household energy sector, in particular, through the distribution of clean cookstoves and increasing reliance on solar energy. Other priorities for Ethiopia entail reducing black carbon emissions from diesel vehicles and reusing methane emissions through biogas systems [15].

Ethiopia has adopted the draft revised multi-environmental policy (2016), which aims at (i) promoting waste reduction, sorting and separation at sources; (ii) establishing facilities and incentives for cleaner production, waste recovery, recycling and re-use; and (iii) establishing proper liquid waste management systems and facilities