Chronological development of environmental protection and sustainable development in Ethiopia: Systematic review

Sustainable development aims to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It encompasses the continuous growth of political, cultural, economic, social, and environmental sectors. This review investigates the historical p...

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Main Authors: Tsegay Kahsay Gebrekidan, Muuz Gebretsadik Gebremariam, Meaza Kidane Teferi, Selama Gebreslassie Yebyo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. 2025-01-01
Series:Watershed Ecology and the Environment
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589471425000026
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author Tsegay Kahsay Gebrekidan
Muuz Gebretsadik Gebremariam
Meaza Kidane Teferi
Selama Gebreslassie Yebyo
author_facet Tsegay Kahsay Gebrekidan
Muuz Gebretsadik Gebremariam
Meaza Kidane Teferi
Selama Gebreslassie Yebyo
author_sort Tsegay Kahsay Gebrekidan
collection DOAJ
description Sustainable development aims to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It encompasses the continuous growth of political, cultural, economic, social, and environmental sectors. This review investigates the historical progress and actions of sustainable development in Ethiopia by examining various published and unpublished documents, government reports, policies, and legislation. The findings highlight that Ethiopia, with a longstanding history of environmental protection practices such as establishing protected areas, soil and water conservation, and sanitation, has made notable progress, especially since the mid-1990s. The inclusion of environmental rights in the 1995 Constitution led to the development of comprehensive policies, strategies, proclamations, regulations, and guidelines for sustainable development. Despite these advancements, Ethiopia faces numerous environmental challenges, including land degradation, climate change, deforestation, pollution, and inadequate implementation of environmental policies. These issues are further complicated by political instability, financial constraints, a lack of skilled human resources, rapid population growth, traditional agricultural practices, and weak community awareness. However, opportunities for improvement exist. Ethiopia can enhance its environmental goals by utilizing hydropower, investing in solar and wind energy, promoting sustainable agriculture, and accessing international climate finance. Nevertheless, the actions taken by the government and individuals have been inconsistent and scattered, leading to unsuccessful efforts to achieve sustainable development. Moving forward, addressing these persistent challenges requires coordinated efforts, political stability, innovative solutions, and public involvement. Strengthening institutional arrangements, enhancing education and awareness, and fostering collaboration at all levels are essential steps toward achieving sustainable development and environmental protection in Ethiopia.
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spelling doaj-art-889d18d05e754ff09fa24a37022dc4472025-01-26T05:04:36ZengKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.Watershed Ecology and the Environment2589-47142025-01-0174757Chronological development of environmental protection and sustainable development in Ethiopia: Systematic reviewTsegay Kahsay Gebrekidan0Muuz Gebretsadik Gebremariam1Meaza Kidane Teferi2Selama Gebreslassie Yebyo3Department of Environmental Science, College of Agriculture and Environmental Science, Adigrat University, Adigrat, Ethiopia; Corresponding author.Department of Environmental Science, College of Agriculture and Environmental Science, Adigrat University, Adigrat, EthiopiaDepartment of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering and Technology, Adigrat University, Adigrat, EthiopiaDepartment of Natural Resources Management, College of Agriculture and Environmental Science, Adigrat University, Adigrat, EthiopiaSustainable development aims to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It encompasses the continuous growth of political, cultural, economic, social, and environmental sectors. This review investigates the historical progress and actions of sustainable development in Ethiopia by examining various published and unpublished documents, government reports, policies, and legislation. The findings highlight that Ethiopia, with a longstanding history of environmental protection practices such as establishing protected areas, soil and water conservation, and sanitation, has made notable progress, especially since the mid-1990s. The inclusion of environmental rights in the 1995 Constitution led to the development of comprehensive policies, strategies, proclamations, regulations, and guidelines for sustainable development. Despite these advancements, Ethiopia faces numerous environmental challenges, including land degradation, climate change, deforestation, pollution, and inadequate implementation of environmental policies. These issues are further complicated by political instability, financial constraints, a lack of skilled human resources, rapid population growth, traditional agricultural practices, and weak community awareness. However, opportunities for improvement exist. Ethiopia can enhance its environmental goals by utilizing hydropower, investing in solar and wind energy, promoting sustainable agriculture, and accessing international climate finance. Nevertheless, the actions taken by the government and individuals have been inconsistent and scattered, leading to unsuccessful efforts to achieve sustainable development. Moving forward, addressing these persistent challenges requires coordinated efforts, political stability, innovative solutions, and public involvement. Strengthening institutional arrangements, enhancing education and awareness, and fostering collaboration at all levels are essential steps toward achieving sustainable development and environmental protection in Ethiopia.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589471425000026EnvironmentEnvironmental protectionSustainable developmentTimelineEthiopia
spellingShingle Tsegay Kahsay Gebrekidan
Muuz Gebretsadik Gebremariam
Meaza Kidane Teferi
Selama Gebreslassie Yebyo
Chronological development of environmental protection and sustainable development in Ethiopia: Systematic review
Watershed Ecology and the Environment
Environment
Environmental protection
Sustainable development
Timeline
Ethiopia
title Chronological development of environmental protection and sustainable development in Ethiopia: Systematic review
title_full Chronological development of environmental protection and sustainable development in Ethiopia: Systematic review
title_fullStr Chronological development of environmental protection and sustainable development in Ethiopia: Systematic review
title_full_unstemmed Chronological development of environmental protection and sustainable development in Ethiopia: Systematic review
title_short Chronological development of environmental protection and sustainable development in Ethiopia: Systematic review
title_sort chronological development of environmental protection and sustainable development in ethiopia systematic review
topic Environment
Environmental protection
Sustainable development
Timeline
Ethiopia
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589471425000026
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AT meazakidaneteferi chronologicaldevelopmentofenvironmentalprotectionandsustainabledevelopmentinethiopiasystematicreview
AT selamagebreslassieyebyo chronologicaldevelopmentofenvironmentalprotectionandsustainabledevelopmentinethiopiasystematicreview