WorldThe GuardianFifty billion trees by 2030: how Ethiopia is recruiting citizens across the country to plant, plant, plant
Ethiopia has planted 48 billion trees in seven years under its Green Legacy Initiative, with ordinary citizens like Halima Kedir leading the charge.
After losing much of its forests in recent decades, the country’s people have led the way in planting saplings across the country as part of the government’s Green Legacy Initiative
Ethiopia's government-backed Green Legacy Initiative has planted 48 billion trees since 2019, aiming for 50 billion by 2030.
Annual deforestation fell from 92,000 hectares to 27,703 hectares between 2013 and 2023, as forest cover climbed from 15.5% to 23.6%.
Ordinary citizens like Oromia resident Halima Kedir are driving the change, turning sceptical neighbours into fellow planters along the way.
Ethiopia's forest cover rose from 15.5% to 23.6% between 2013 and 2023, showing community-led planting can meaningfully reverse deforestation.
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