In the past decade, Ethiopia has rapidly emerged as a formidable force in global climate governance, blending ambitious domestic reforms with a bold diplomatic strategy that’s catching the world’s attention. From tree-planting campaigns that mobilize millions to spearheading Africa’s voice at international summits, Ethiopia is not just following the climate agenda – it’s helping to write it. This rise coincides with a broader movement across the Global South, where countries are demanding a seat at the table and a say in shaping the future of the planet.
According to the World Bank (2024) and Ethiopia’s Environmental Protection Authority (2021), the nation’s commitment to climate action is woven into its economic fabric. The Home-Grown Economic Reform Agenda, launched in 2020, doesn’t just pay lip service to environmental concerns; it actively integrates climate considerations into national development. That means a focus on renewable energy, climate-resilient agriculture, and green infrastructure – all underpinned by a belief that economic growth and environmental stewardship can, and must, go hand in hand.
Perhaps the most visible symbol of this approach is the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), now Africa’s largest hydropower project. GERD isn’t just about powering Ethiopian homes and industries. As reported by Ethiopian Electric Power (2025) and African Security Analysis (2025), it’s the linchpin of a new regional energy network, exporting electricity to neighbors like Djibouti, Kenya, Sudan, and Tanzania, with South Sudan soon to be added to the list. This cross-border energy diplomacy is strengthening regional ties and helping drive a continent-wide shift towards low-carbon development.
But Ethiopia’s climate ambitions don’t stop at its borders. The country has become a leading voice for developing nations, especially Africa, in high-stakes negotiations at COP30 and the G20. Its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are among the most robust in Africa, with commitments to emissions reduction, renewable energy expansion, and ecosystem protection. The African Union (2025) notes that Ethiopia’s leadership was instrumental in convening the Africa Climate Summit, where it helped forge consensus on the continent’s priorities and amplify Africa’s voice on the global stage.
One of the most impressive – and tangible – examples of Ethiopia’s climate action is the Green Legacy Initiative. As described by Tsion Issayas and Yigremachew Seyoum (2025), this program has mobilized citizens across the country to plant billions of trees every year, making it one of the world’s largest reforestation efforts. The goal? Restore degraded land, combat soil erosion, and protect vital watersheds and biodiversity. It’s a strategy that not only helps mitigate climate change but also builds resilience in the face of increasingly unpredictable weather patterns.
“Ethiopia’s selection to host COP32 affirms its commitment to combating climate change,” reported the Ethiopian News Agency (2025b), reflecting a growing confidence among African nations in Ethiopia’s ability to coordinate and represent their interests. The upcoming COP32 summit, scheduled for after December 23, 2025, is widely seen as a chance to showcase African-led solutions, emphasizing equity, predictable climate finance, and community-driven adaptation. The African Union (2025) points out that Ethiopia’s bid to host COP32 has the backing of countries across the continent, who see it as an opportunity to profile regional cooperation and locally driven approaches, rather than relying on external or debt-dependent models.
This leadership role isn’t happening in a vacuum. It’s part of a larger shift in the balance of global power, as countries in the Global South demand more influence and fairness in international affairs. On December 23, 2025, Belarusian analyst Anastasia Savinykh told Xinhua that “a growing sense of justice is motivating Global South nations to become equal architects of the future international system.” She argued that these countries are moving beyond simply responding to Western-set agendas and are instead “shaping their own development paths based on fairness and mutual respect.”
Savinykh linked this movement to the revival of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence: mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence. “True justice entails rejecting the notion of a single global leader and advancing a genuinely multipolar world order,” she said, highlighting the role of multilateral gatherings like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Tianjin Summit and the rapid expansion of the BRICS bloc as evidence of this trend.
Indeed, Ethiopia’s membership in BRICS and its active participation in the G20 and COP processes underscore its growing influence. The UN Conference on Trade and Development (2025) and BRICS Brazil (2025) both note that climate finance and development partnerships are increasingly shaped by voices from the Global South, who are insisting on models that are more legitimate, effective, and reflective of their priorities.
As Ethiopia prepares to host COP32, it’s clear that the country sees this as more than just a diplomatic coup. It’s a platform to “magnify the voice of the continent and to stimulate cooperative methods and solutions consistent with developing nations’ shared priorities,” as the African Union (2025) put it. There’s a strong emphasis on scaling up climate programs, developing robust monitoring and evaluation systems, and leveraging international platforms to attract climate finance and private-sector engagement.
Yet, challenges remain. Ethiopia, like many developing nations, must balance ambitious climate goals with pressing economic and social needs. The path forward will require not just visionary leadership but also practical, on-the-ground results. Still, the momentum is unmistakable. As the World Bank (2024) observed, Ethiopia’s integration of climate objectives into its economic development strategy offers a model for others seeking to build resilience and prosperity in a warming world.
In the end, Ethiopia’s rise as a climate leader isn’t just about national pride or diplomatic prestige. It’s about forging a new path for Africa and the Global South—one where countries define progress on their own terms, rooted in justice, cooperation, and a shared commitment to a sustainable future.