Ethiopia has taken another important step in upscaling national climate change education by developing and launching the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) Implementation Plan for the Education sector. This milestone builds on the successful implementation of the National Climate Change Education Strategy (NCCES), which was developed in partnership with UN CC:Learn in 2017. The NCCES has provided a robust foundation for incorporating climate education and awareness into Ethiopia’s education system, aiming to turn the country’s schools into champions for building a climate-resilient and green economy by 2030.
The creation of the NDC Implementation Plan for the Education sector was a collaborative effort, engaging key stakeholders from the Ministry of Education (MoE), the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), Ministry of planning and development (MoPD) and the NDC Partnership, including UN CC:Learn. This inclusive, multi-step approach, which included several exchanges and workshops, ensured that the plan was comprehensive and captured the needs.
The plan sets out two primary outcomes. First, it aims to improve students’ competencies on climate change through curriculum integration, training for teachers and other relevant parties, and awareness-raising workshops and materials.
Second, it aims to enhance the understanding of climate change concepts among adult learners, focusing on farmers, community leaders, policymakers, and informal learners. This goal will be supported by activities such as gap assessments to identify learning needs, expert training, digital content development, and awareness-raising campaigns.
Through the NDC Implementation Plan, Ethiopia is leveraging the education sector as a key driver of climate resilience and sustainable development. With over 26.6 million students and 716,000 teachers, the plan is poised to make a significant impact by raising climate awareness and improving skills across generations, driving effective climate action in the country, and empowering individuals to deal with the challenges posed by climate change.
This initiative is expected to play a crucial role in Ethiopia’s broader climate goals under its NDC, aligning with the country’s ambitious target to reduce emissions by 69% by 2030.
The NDC Implementation Plan was launched in July 2024, setting a clear and comprehensive pathway to the country’s climate commitments.
“The NDC Implementation Plan being launched today demonstrates country driven solutions in translating the high-level goals into tangible actions and results on the ground.” – H.E. Dr Fitsum Assefa, Minister of Ministry of Planning and Development at the launch event.
Moving forward, a key challenge will be mobilizing the necessary funding to implement Ethiopia’s NDC Implementation Plan, including education sector initiatives. With the overall plan requiring USD 316 billion, of which 80% depends on international support, securing financial resources will be essential to advancing climate education and achieving the country’s ambitious 2030 targets.