🌡
Cross-Cutting Priority Sector
Climate Resilience & Adaptation
Safeguarding Ethiopia's Future
In the Climate Resilience sector, AFOLU Ethiopia draws on climate science as its knowledge base, bringing
together specialists, government and international institutions to work on adaptation strategy, greenhouse gas
emission reduction and climate finance. To meet the commitment it made under the Paris Agreement to cut
greenhouse gas emissions by 68%, Ethiopia has signed a 50 million dollar agreement with the FCPF under REDD+,
and is working to strengthen ecosystem-based adaptation and build a green economy. Climate change cannot be
halted, so the duty of this moment is not to wait for the damage it brings but to prepare for it through early
warning measurements. AFOLU Ethiopia works with knowledge, effort, determination and persistence to build an
Ethiopia that is prepared for climate resilience, whose land is green and whose people are economically
strong.
🌡 Climate Resilience
💨 Emissions Reduction
🌍 NDC Implementation
💰 Climate Finance
🔬 Climate Science
🏘 Community Resilience
🌡
+1.3°C
Temperature rise in Ethiopia over 50 years
Temperature increased over 50 years in Ethiopia
🌳
70.3%
NDC emission reduction target for 2035
Ethiopia's NDC emission reduction target (2035)
🌧
20–50%
Decline in seasonal rainfall across regions
Decline in seasonal rainfall across region
😟
38M+
People highly vulnerable to climate change
People highly vulnerable to climate change
🌡 1. What is Climate Resilience at AFOLU?
AFOLU Ethiopia’s Climate Resilience Sector
Ethiopia stands among the nations most exposed to the consequences of climate change, despite contributing less
than 0.1% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Rising temperatures, increasingly erratic rainfall, recurring droughts,
and devastating floods are already threatening agricultural productivity, degrading vital natural resources, and
deepening food insecurity for millions of Ethiopian households across all regions.
AFOLU Ethiopia, climate resilience is not treated as a long-term policy ambition. It is recognized as an urgent,
everyday reality facing farmers, pastoralists, agro-foresters, and forest-dependent communities. The sector brings
together all of AFOLU's technical programs, Plant Science, Animal Science, Forestry, NRM, and Agroforestry, under a
unified climate resilience framework built on two pillars. The first is Adaptation, building the capacity of
communities and ecosystems to adjust and thrive under changing conditions. The second is Mitigation, reducing
greenhouse gas emissions through sustainable land use and forest management. Both are essential and both are
inseparable from Ethiopia's path toward a green, resilient, and prosperous future.
5–10%
Annual agricultural GDP loss due to climate change
Annual agricultural GDP decline due to climate change
27K+
Hectares deforested annually, down from 92,000 (2013–2023)
Annual deforestation rate reduced from 92,000 to 27,703 hectares (2013–2023)
$82B
Climate finance received between 2011 and 2019
Annual climate finance flows to Ethiopia (2011-2019)
10.1B+
Tonnes of CO2 stored in Ethiopia's forests
Tonnes of CO2 equivalent stored in Ethiopia's forests
🔬 2. Key Activities
a) Building Resilience Through Ecosystem-Based Approaches
Protecting and restoring ecosystems — forests, watersheds, soils and biodiversity — is a dependable foundation for withstanding climate change. In this sector AFOLU Ethiopia works with close attention on expanding the EbA (Ecosystem-Based Adaptation) approach to rehabilitate degraded land and secure community livelihoods. The success of our environmental and agricultural development work is delivered on a foundation of sound science, data quality and ecological suitability.
In implementing EbA, watershed restoration takes priority; it focuses on protecting and restoring degraded watersheds so that water sources are conserved and communities can withstand shortfalls in rainfall. In the same way, replanting forests improves the local climate and creates a natural defence against severe climate hazards. Protecting wetlands and riverbanks prevents flooding and recharges groundwater, maintaining the natural balance. For pastoralists, rehabilitating degraded rangeland strengthens the community's capacity to withstand drought.
In addition, promoting indigenous crop varieties and diverse seed systems is decisive for securing ecosystem resilience. Delivering cost-effective solutions also calls for coordinated work that combines natural approaches with built structures. AFOLU Ethiopia serves as a knowledge hub, carrying practical information and experience from one region to another. By delivering scientific research in agriculture and forestry as training — from community members through to specialists — it works to build technical capacity and improve community expertise in withstanding climate change.
b) Scaling Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA)
Supplying farmers with the technologies and farming systems that allow them to protect themselves against climate change is a priority. In this sector AFOLU Ethiopia works to expand CSA practices — heat-tolerant seed, water harvesting and conservation agriculture — across different regions. Our core aim is not only to secure productivity for farmers through this modern farming system, but to conserve soil, save water and pass productive land on to the generation ahead. This success too is delivered on a foundation of sound science, seed quality and ecological suitability.
To achieve this, close attention is given to identifying scientifically improved seed suited to each locality and getting it into farmers' hands. Expanding drought- and heat-tolerant seed in lowland and mid-altitude areas secures food for communities. Working alongside farmers and specialists, training in conservation agriculture practices (no-till, cover crops) protects soil from degradation. Coordinating with communities and various institutions to plan and build water storage systems helps farmers collect water during the rains and use it in times of drought.
In addition, expanding agroforestry and silvo-pastoral systems that combine trees, crops and livestock across all regions strengthens local climate resilience. Providing skills training and technical support on the irrigation technology available to farmers plays a decisive role in solving the water shortages that recur year after year. Through research, AFOLU Ethiopia gathers concrete information on whether improved seed and sound farming practice reach communities at a fair price in hard-to-reach areas, and passes it to the bodies concerned. Our platform focuses on capacity building by sharing this knowledge, experience and related research from farmers through to specialists.
c) NDC Implementation and Climate Reporting
Ethiopia is taking major steps to fulfil the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) it pledged under the Paris Agreement. Helping that commitment to be met, and reporting on it to the world, is a key task. In this sector AFOLU Ethiopia works with close attention on supporting the implementation of NDC targets, establishing monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) systems, and preparing climate reports. The success of this reporting rests on sound science, the quality of the data collected and ecological suitability.
In this work the AFOLU sector provides professional support aligned with Ethiopia's NDC targets.
Regularly tracking and updating the greenhouse gas inventory for agriculture, forestry and land use
through research is a priority. Strengthening the MRV system ensures that the reports and information
disseminated are truthful, credible and ecologically sound.
In addition, AFOLU Ethiopia serves as a hub of credible information by tracking the targets the country has
submitted under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement. This platform focuses on capacity building by sharing
knowledge, experience and related research from farmers through to specialists. Presenting scientific climate
research in accessible form helps it reach every community and specialist concerned and strengthens their
capacity.
d) Expert Support to Access and Manage Climate Finance
Substantial financial support is needed if efforts to adapt to climate change and reduce greenhouse gases are
to succeed. Ethiopia has wide scope to draw support from international climate finance sources such as the GCF, AF
and LDCF. In this sector AFOLU Ethiopia works with close attention on project preparation and proposal writing.
This success too is delivered on a foundation of sound science, the quality of the data collected and ecological
suitability.
In this work it provides professional support in designing GCF (Green Climate Fund) projects and preparing
proposals. It also plays its expected part in preparing Adaptation Fund (AF) and LDCF proposals. Verifying
results-based climate finance, such as REDD+ carbon payments, and mobilizing private sector climate investment
are priorities. It also gives professional support in expanding green finance instruments such as climate bonds
and in establishing systems for reporting the impact of climate finance.
In addition, AFOLU Ethiopia serves as a knowledge hub by sharing climate finance information and experience
from farmers through to specialists. This platform presents scientific research on accessing funding in
accessible form and delivers it to every specialist concerned. By providing skills training that builds capacity
in project preparation and fund management, it helps Ethiopia make effective use of the financing available from
global sources.
e) Climate Science and Timely Weather Information
Knowing climate conditions such as rainfall, drought and flooding in good time is decisive for farmers making
sound farming decisions. In this sector AFOLU Ethiopia works to strengthen early warning systems and
agrometeorological services so that farmers can protect themselves from climate hazards and raise their
productivity. This success too is delivered on a foundation of sound science, the quality of the data collected and
ecological suitability.
In this work it supports the collection and analysis of agrometeorological data and supplies quality
information to farmers. Our centre ensures that weather forecasts suited to farmers reach them in Afaan Oromoo and
other languages. Researching and modelling Drought Early Warning Systems helps farmers prepare in advance.
Training in seasonal climate outlooks also enables farmers to know when to sow and when to harvest.
AFOLU Ethiopia works with close attention on establishing climate platforms and applications that farmers can
easily reach on their phones. By combining local climate knowledge with modern science, it carries out climate
monitoring grounded in community participation. Our platform focuses on capacity building by passing this
knowledge, experience and related research from farmers through to specialists. Presenting scientific climate
research in accessible form likewise strengthens community capacity.
f) Strengthening Community Resilience and Supporting Climate Policy
Climate resilience finds a strong foundation only where community participation and capacity are strong. When
communities have the knowledge, tools and skills they need, they can withstand the climate change that comes. In
this sector AFOLU Ethiopia works with close attention on training communities, building awareness, and supplying
the scientific evidence needed to improve climate policy. This success too is delivered on a foundation of sound
science, the quality of the data collected and ecological suitability.
In this respect, preparing community-based adaptation planning helps communities identify the problems in
their own areas. Expanding climate change awareness and education across different regions is a priority. In
particular, training and involving women and young people in climate adaptation leadership lays the foundation for
lasting change. By supplying concrete evidence to improve national climate policies such as the NDC and the NAP, it
advances policy advocacy on loss and damage. It also works to strengthen the voice of Ethiopia and Africa in
international forums such as COP and the UNFCCC.
In addition, AFOLU Ethiopia serves as a knowledge hub by sharing information and experience on community
participation from farmers through to specialists. Our platform presents scientific research on policy and
community resilience in accessible form and delivers it to every specialist concerned. By providing skills training
that builds community capacity and by expanding experience sharing, it helps communities gain full expertise in
withstanding climate change.
🔗 3. Links to Programs and Sectors
🌳 Link to Forestry and REDD+
Protecting and restoring forests does more than strengthen climate resilience; it plays a double role in
reducing emissions. In this sector AFOLU Ethiopia works by modernizing forestry and combining REDD+ MRV
(Monitoring, Reporting and Verification), forest carbon accounting and ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA). The core
aim of this linkage is to create an economic incentive for forest protection through carbon payments and, together
with ecological adaptation, to secure community livelihoods and environmental health.
In this work it provides technical support so that Ethiopia can present credible reports to the world through
REDD+ implementation. Using scientific evidence to account for and monitor the carbon held in forests, it focuses
on verifying results-based payments. This is backed by new research on biomass carbon stock and soil organic
carbon. In addition, restoring degraded forests improves the local micro-climate and creates a natural defence
against extreme heat and severe rainfall.
AFOLU Ethiopia serves as a knowledge hub by sharing forestry information and experience from farmers
through to specialists. This platform presents scientific research on carbon accounting and ecosystem adaptation in
accessible form and delivers it to every specialist concerned. By providing skills training that builds
professional capacity and by expanding REDD+ practice, it works to protect our forests and secure Ethiopia's green
economy (CRGE).
🌾 Link to Food Security and Plant Science
By reducing agricultural productivity, climate change poses a major threat to community food security. In this
sector AFOLU Ethiopia works in coordination with both of these sectors to build a resilient food system by
modernizing plant science: expanding drought- and heat-tolerant varieties, modernizing irrigation systems, and
delivering climate-smart production practices. The core aim of this linkage is to keep agricultural productivity
from falling even when climate conditions worsen, and so to secure community food security.
AFOLU Ethiopia gives close attention to identifying scientifically improved varieties suited to each locality
and getting them to farmers. By establishing modern irrigation technology and water storage systems, it provides
professional support so that farmers do not lose their harvest when rainfall falls short. Expanding conservation
agriculture practices such as no-till and crop rotation protects soil from degradation and sustains land
productivity over the long term. This coordinated system, by caring for soil and saving water, is a strong
foundation for passing productive land on to the generation ahead.
AFOLU Ethiopia serves as a knowledge hub by sharing plant science and food security information and experience
from farmers through to specialists. Our platform presents scientific research on improved seed and agricultural
technology in accessible form and delivers it to every specialist concerned. By providing skills training that
builds farmer capacity and by expanding climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practice, it works to secure national food
security and strengthen the agricultural economy.
🌍 NRM & Agroforestry Linkage
Natural resource management (NRM) and agroforestry — watershed restoration, agroforestry and rangeland
rehabilitation — have a major influence on climate resilience. In this sector AFOLU Ethiopia works with close
attention on landscape-level resilience, integrating land, water, forest and agriculture so that communities are
able to withstand climate change. The core aim of this linkage is for the integrated ecosystem to strengthen local
climate resilience by conserving soil, storing water and sequestering carbon.
In this work it focuses on restoring degraded watersheds to prevent soil erosion and to make water sources
secure for communities. Expanding agroforestry and silvo-pastoral approaches that combine trees, crops and
livestock across all regions improves land productivity. Restoring degraded rangeland also helps pastoralists
build resilience when drought bites. This coordinated system, by caring for soil and saving water, is a strong
foundation for passing on fertile land that will yield enough for the generation ahead.
AFOLU Ethiopia serves as a knowledge hub by sharing natural resource management information and experience from
farmers through to specialists. Our platform presents scientific research on agroforestry and watershed
restoration in accessible form and delivers it to every specialist concerned. By providing skills training that
builds community capacity and by expanding NRM practice, it works to protect our natural resources sustainably and
secure national climate adaptation.
🌐 4. Related Sectors
🌍
Natural Resource Management
Watershed and landscape adaptation
🌳
Forestry
EbA and carbon sequestration
💨
Carbon Trade
Mitigation and carbon finance
🌾
Food Security
CSA and food system resilience
🌿
Agroforestry
Landscape-scale adaptation
🌱
Green Legacy
Restoration and carbon NDC
"AFOLU Ethiopia works to meet the commitment the country made under the Paris Agreement and to ensure that
rural communities can withstand climate change, by integrating its technical sectors — agriculture, forestry,
livestock, natural resource management and agroforestry — in a coordinated way. Because the climate will not stop
changing, strengthening our resilience through modern science and technology is an urgent duty that this moment
demands of us."
"Climate change is not a barrier, but a challenge we can overcome through the integration of agriculture,
forestry, and science. By aligning our natural potential with coordinated expertise, Ethiopia has the power to
build a climate-resilient landscape and bequeath a thriving earth to the generations to come."
AFOLU Ethiopia — Climate Resilience
