28-01-2025
Egypt publishes afforestation plans - Egypt - Al-Ahram Weekly
The Ministry of Environment recently unveiled The Guide to Supporting the Implementation of Afforestation Plans, a step in implementing the presidential initiative to plant 100 million trees, which is meant to reduce pollution, enhance green spaces and ensure environmental sustainability. The guide was released during an event marking National Environment Day 2025 under the theme 'A Green and Sustainable Egypt: Towards a Circular Economy and a Fair Green Transformation'.
The guide is one of the outcomes of the advisory committee established to bolster the ministry's role in the afforestation initiative. Formed under Ministerial Decree 178 of 8 May 2024, the committee includes experts from universities, the Agricultural Research Centre, and civil society organisations.
During the event, Yasmine Fouad, the minister of environment, said the government has placed environmental priorities at the forefront of its national security and foreign policy agenda. The national day is celebrated with a week of diverse environmental activities, each addressing a specific theme. Special attention is given to the 100 Million Trees initiative, which has become a centerpiece of the festivities, she added.
Last month, Fouad noted, Egypt climbed up the environmental ladder to enhance the link between climate change and a fair green transition amid its commitment to reducing emissions, a responsibility largely borne by developed nations. Egypt ranked second in the Arab world and North Africa in the German Watch Report which evaluates climate progress across 65 nations. Furthermore, Egypt ranked 10th globally in achieving renewable energy goals and implementing climate policies that translate into tangible outcomes.
In addition, Egypt submitted its first Biennial Transparency Report (BTR) to the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The report, detailing the country's emission-reducing achievements, said Egypt met its 2024 emission reduction targets in the energy sector and even passed the transportation sector's targets by 12 per cent, Fouad said.
Minister of Local Development Manal Awad said the 100 Million Trees plan sought to expand green spaces across Egypt, enhance air quality and mitigate the impact of climate change, referring to greening the Ring Road and Greater Cairo's traffic axes in cooperation between the ministries of environment, agriculture, housing, and local development.
According to the newly released guide, the trees will be coded by the agriculture directorates and governorates, Awad added.
Ayman Farid Abu Hadid, former minister of agriculture and chairman of the advisory committee, stated that while the Ministry of Local Development oversees the implementation of the initiative, the Ministry of Agriculture is responsible for follow-up and monitoring and the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation will provide adequate water supplies.
Abu Hadid said the selection of species of trees will be made to suit the characteristics of each area, whether residential, industrial, or along roads and traffic axes, noting the focus will be on cultivating the trees best for wood farming to harness their economic potential. A contract has been approved by the cabinet to manage forests under the usufruct system for the private sector, Abu Hadid pointed out.
Emad Adli, head of the Arab Office for Youth and Environment (AOYE) and member of the advisory committee, said the cabinet ordered the establishment of nurseries on 1,000 square metres of land in each governorate. The nurseries aim to supply the trees necessary for afforestation initiatives. Adli said the guide was meant to increase the engagement of civil society organisations in the environmental effort, encouraging them to promote educational videos and increase people's environmental awareness.
He said the AOYE spearheaded the initiative to declare 27 January as National Environment Day, commemorating the issuance of Environment Law 4/1994. This year's celebration focuses on the connection between water, food, energy and ecosystems, reflecting the foundational principles of sustainable development.
Amr Rabie, a professor of afforestation and forestry at the Agricultural Research Centre and a member of the advisory committee, said the tree initiative spans from 2023 to 2029. The Ministry of Environment is responsible for planting 13 million trees, the Ministry of Local Development 80 million, and the Ministry of Housing seven million.
Mustafa Al-Hakim, a research professor at the Desert Research Centre and a member of the advisory committee, noted that over 16 forests in Egypt are irrigated with treated sewage water.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 30 January, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
Short link:
