Full Length Research
Environmental Policy of Ethiopia: Implementation and
Challenges
Mebrahtu Kiros Hagos
Department of Civics and Ethical Studies, College of Social Sciences and Humanities, Raya University, Maichew,
Ethiopia. E-mail: mebrahtukiros29@gmail.com
Phone No: +251949695341
Accepted 14 June 2021
This article analyses the Ethiopian Environmental Policy by looking in to the contents in general and its
implementation in particular. The study is based on secondary data sources. It examines and
synthesizes different relevant documents. The study introduces you with background information about
environmental policy of Ethiopia .It then tries to assess the rationales for introducing the policy. In
addition, it examines the policy formulation and implementation process .It also describes the overall
policy objectives and principles of the environmental policy of Ethiopia. Furthermore, it explores the
environmental policy instruments used in implementing environmental policy of Ethiopia to achieve its
purposes. Finally, it assesses the strengths and weakness of the policy as per the “the good policy
criteria “and provides policy implications.
Key Words: Environmental Policy, FDRE Constitution, Policy Analysis, Environmental Protection Authority
Cite this article as: Mebrahtu, K.H (2021). Environmental Policy of Ethiopia: Implementation and Challenges.
Int. J. Polit. Sci. Develop. 9(4) 143-149
INTRODUCTION
The role of international agreements on environment
gave birth to the concept of sustainable development.
Having understood the reinforcement between
environmental protection and development, policies have
been made in such a way to observe the environment in
development endeavours of every nation. The
international agreement named the Agenda 21 also
known as ‘The Earth Summit’ puts certain guidelines like
considering the environment, reducing over consumption
and production, and recognizing the value of indigenous
community knowledge in managing the environment
(Mellese & Mesfine, 2008).
In Ethiopia, environmental problems have been a
serious problem affecting the socio economic dynamism.
Population growth without economic advancement has
been causing serious environmental damages. Some of
the noticeable challenges are land degradation, soil
erosion, loss of natural resources and biodiversity which
are exacerbated by the current world wide issue of
climate change (Mesfin, 2010). Renewable natural
resource like land, water and forests and other forms of
biodiversity have now deteriorated to a low level of
productivity especially in the highland areas of Ethiopia.
Estimates of deforestation, expansion for economic
activity vary from 80,000 to 200,000 hectares per annum.
The burning of dung as fuel instead of using it as a soil
conditioner is considered to cause a reduction in grain
production by some 550,000 tons annually. In 2010,
International Journal of
Political Science and
Development
Vol. 9(4), pp. 143-149, June 2021
DOI: 10.14662/IJPSD2021.025
Copy©right 2021
Author(s) retain the copyright of this article
ISSN: 2360-784X
http://www.academicresearchjournals.org/IJPSD/Index.html