Young volunteers plant tree seedlings during Ethiopia's nationwide Green Legacy Initiative campaign in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 5 August 2026. Photo: Xinhua

NNA News - Ethiopia has planted a record 805.3 million tree seedlings in a single day, marking a major milestone in the country's ambitious reforestation campaign aimed at tackling climate change, restoring degraded landscapes and strengthening environmental resilience. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced that more than 26.2 million Ethiopians participated in the nationwide campaign on Monday as part of the government's flagship Green Legacy Initiative.

The annual event, held under the theme "Let Us Plant Hope," brought together citizens, government institutions, businesses, community organisations and foreign nationals in what has become one of Africa's largest environmental restoration programmes. "Eight years of consistent action. The Green Legacy Initiative continues to grow stronger, driven by public commitment and the shared belief that, together, Ethiopians can nurture a greener, more sustainable future," Abiy said.

Now in its eighth year since launching in 2019, the Green Legacy Initiative aims to plant more than 8 billion seedlings during the current planting season. According to the prime minister, Ethiopia has already planted 6.5 billion seedlings this Ethiopian year, with another 1.5 billion expected to be planted in the coming months. The initiative forms part of Ethiopia's broader strategy to restore forest cover, conserve biodiversity, combat land degradation and build a climate-resilient economy. Environmental experts say the programme comes at a critical time.

Although Ethiopia contributes only 0.04 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, the country remains among those most vulnerable to climate change due to its reliance on rain-fed agriculture and natural resources.

Residents carry tree seedlings for planting as part of Ethiopia's Green Legacy Initiative in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 5 August 2026. Photo: Xinhua

Former Ethiopian Environmental Protection Authority Director-General Getahun Garedew said the country continues to bear a disproportionate share of climate impacts. "Ethiopia is contributing very little toward climate change, but being affected very hugely. Ethiopia cannot stand alone on these triple planetary problems." He warned that climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental pollution continue to threaten livelihoods across the country.

According to the Ethiopian Environmental Protection Authority, temperatures have risen steadily over the past five decades, while droughts, floods and soil erosion have become increasingly frequent. These extreme weather events are placing growing pressure on agricultural production, infrastructure and vulnerable communities.

Children participate in Ethiopia's Green Legacy Initiative by planting tree seedlings during the nationwide environmental campaign in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 5 August 2026. Photo: Xinhua

Officials say the Green Legacy Initiative has evolved beyond a tree-planting campaign into a national environmental programme focused on ecosystem restoration, sustainable development and long-term climate adaptation. The initiative has also become one of Africa's most ambitious reforestation efforts, reinforcing Ethiopia's commitment to building a greener and more sustainable future.