Egypt has launched its 2050 national strategy for climate change, which outlines the country’s vision for reducing emissions in various sectors to maintain sustainable economic growth, promoting the use of renewable energy sources, producing energy from waste, and using alternative energy forms like green hydrogen.
Included in Egypt’s green initiative is the bold step to plant 100 million trees, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly briefed his cabinet on Sunday detailing the first step of which is a drive to plant trees along the country’s highways.
Minister of Local Development Mahmoud Sharaawy stated 9,900 locations across the country covering more than 6,600 feddans have been chosen to build forests and public parks.
Sharaawy added that the initiative would be carried out through collaboration between government and non-government organizations.
Minister of Environment Yasmine Fouad, who also attended the cabinet meeting, stated that the president’s initiative to plant 100 million trees is intended to double the amount of green space per person, improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gasses, and ultimately improve public health. She also emphasized that the initiative’s goals extend beyond those related to the environment and public health to include tangible economic benefits.
Furthering its commitment to cutting carbon emissions, Egypt has initiated a number of initiatives to expand the use of renewable energy sources and modernize its transportation system by constructing electric trains.
Egypt plans to encourage farmers to adopt new crop genotypes and technologies and build resilience to unusual weather in the Nile Delta. This move is to address the effects of climate change on agricultural productivity, livelihoods, and food security within Egypt’s borders.
The plan itself has been greeted positively online, with many praising the government’s actions in the lead up towards the COP27, the United Nations Climate Change Conference set to take place in Sharm El Sheikh later this year.
