The Effects of Climate Change in Ethiopia: A Review

Abstract

Ethiopia’s strong dependence on climate-sensitive sectors, combined with limited adaptive capacity, makes climate change one of the most significant threats to the country’s socioeconomic development. This review synthesizes current knowledge on observed climate trends, future climate projections, and the diverse impacts of climate change across Ethiopia’s regions and key sectors. Evidence consistently indicates rising temperatures, increasing rainfall variability, and a growing frequency and intensity of extreme events such as droughts and floods. These changes profoundly affect agriculture and food security, water resources and hydropower generation, pastoral livelihoods, human health, ecosystems, and rapidly expanding urban systems. Marked regional differences are evident: highland areas face soil degradation, shifting agroecological zones, and declining crop productivity, while lowland and pastoral regions experience increasing aridity, rangeland degradation, and livelihood insecurity. The review further examines cross-cutting issues, including gendered vulnerability, technological innovation, economic impacts, migration, and climate finance, highlighting the interconnected nature of climate risks. National policy frameworks, governance mechanisms, and documented case studies illustrate pathways for enhancing resilience, while also revealing persistent implementation and capacity gaps. Key research priorities include the need for high-resolution climate projections, long-term monitoring of climate impacts, and improved understanding of urban climate risks. Strengthening institutional capacity, scaling up climate-smart practices, and enhancing international cooperation are essential to support Ethiopia’s transition toward climate-resilient and sustainable development.