World Bank reveals Ethiopian forestry plan

5 March 2010

Environmental infrastructure in Ethiopia should see improvements after the World Bank announced a new initiative.

The Humbo Assisted Natural Regeneration Project will be implemented under the Kyoto Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism.

As Africa's first forestry project on a large scale, it is hoped Ethiopia's poorer communities will see economic and social boosts.

There will also be environmental benefits because some 880,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide are expected to be cut in the next three decades.

Chief executive officer of World Vision Australia Tim Costello said: "While the income from the carbon credits is a welcome bonus, other tangible benefits from the project come from building resilience against climate impacts."

Director of sustainable development in Africa for the World Bank Inger Andersen explained that the Humbo Project has "special significance".

It was claimed that most of the country's 80 million people rely on agriculture to make a living.

According to nationmaster.com, 31.7 per cent of land in Ethiopia is agricultural, which equates to 317.90 square kilometers.