Message from EOTC DICAC, EECMY DASSC and EMRDA As faith leaders, we believe that caring for creation is an act of worship and religious duty. Banning single-use plastics is not just environmental it is spiritual, ethical, and urgent. We stand together to raise a united voice for environmental justice and climate adaptation.
An Interfaith Call to Ban Single-Use Plastic Bags and Protect God’s Creation
As faith communities in Ethiopia—the Ethiopian Orthodox Church Development and Inter Church Aid Commission (EOC-DICAC) the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus– Development and Social Services Commission. (EECMY-DASSC), and the Ethiopian Muslim Relief and Development Association (EMRDA)—we stand together to raise a united voice for environmental justice and climate adaptation.
Our sacred scriptures, both the Bible and the Qur’an, teach human beings are entrusted as caretakers of the Earth. The Bible tells us to “till and keep” the garden of creation (Genesis 2:15). The Qur’an reminds us that “It is He who has made you successors upon the Earth” (Surah Al-An’am 6:165), calling us to live responsibly as khalifa—stewards.
Yet today, our land, rivers, and air are suffering. One of the most urgent threats we face is the uncontrolled spread of single-use plastic bags. These bags pollute our streets, poison our soil, block waterways, and endanger both human and animal life. They remain in the environment for hundreds of years. Their damage is deep and long-lasting.
We therefore strongly urge the Ethiopian government to implement a nationwide ban on single-use plastic bags. This step is essential not only for protecting the environment but also for safeguarding public health, preserving ecosystems, and supporting climate adaptation.
Our churches and Mesjids are already engaged—teaching environmental responsibilities as religious duties, planting trees, and mobilizing communities. But we need national policy that matches this moral urgency. The ban must be accompanied by affordable, sustainable alternatives and public awareness to ensure lasting change. We commit ourselves to contribute in raising public awareness.
Let us act now. As faith leaders, we believe that caring for creation is an act of worship and religious duty. Banning single-use plastics is not just environmental—it is spiritual, ethical, and urgent.
Technical Brief 2: An Interfaith Call to Ban Single-Use Plastic Bags and Advance Climate Adaptation in EthiopiaA Technical Brief
As faith communities in Ethiopia—the Ethiopian Orthodox Church Development and Inter Church Aid Commission (EOTC-DICAC), the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY-DASSC), and the Ethiopian Muslim Relief and Development Association (EMRDA)—we stand together to raise a united voice for environmental justice and climate adaptation. In our places of worship, we are witnessing more frequent conversations about the impact of climate change on the daily lives of our communities. Increasing droughts, sudden floods, and shifting seasons are disrupting livelihoods and endangering health and wellbeing, especially among the most vulnerable.
Among the many contributors to these challenges, the unchecked use of single-use plastic bags is becoming a silent but destructive force. These plastic bags, often discarded after a single use, are littering urban streets and rural fields. They block drainage systems, contributing to severe flooding in towns and cities during the rainy season. In rural areas, they poison water sources, degrade farmland, and endanger livestock and wildlife. Their presence in the environment outlasts generations, making them not only an eyesore but a profound barrier to sustainability and resilience.
Recent data shows that Ethiopia’s plastic consumption has nearly doubled in the past decade, increasing from 172,000 tons in 2015 to an estimated 308,000 tons in 2020 (Statista, 2023). In Addis Ababa alone, residents generate approximately 51 kilograms of waste per person each year, with plastic accounting for more than 15 percent of that volume (NatuReS, 2022). These numbers reflect a growing burden on public health, local infrastructure, and the climate systems that communities rely on for food, water, and shelter.
In November 2024, the Ethiopian Council of Ministers took an important step by approving a draft law to ban the production and import of single-use plastic bags, particularly those thinner than 0.03 mm (Shega, 2024). This move builds on a previous ban introduced in 2008, which faced challenges due to limited enforcement and lack of widespread public awareness (UNEP, 2019). The proposed legislation is a necessary and timely measure, but it will only succeed if implemented effectively and supported by communities.
Public support is already strong. A study in Jimma Town found that over 80 percent of local residents are in favor of banning single-use plastic bags. People are ready for change (SAGE Journals, 2022). What is needed now is a coordinated national effort that includes education, enforcement, and access to alternatives that are both affordable and environmentally sound.
As religious leaders and institutions, we recognize our responsibility not only to teach and guide, but also to act. Our churches and Mesjids are places of learning, healing, and mobilization. We have the reach to influence behavior, to build community support for sustainable living, and to model ethical consumption. We believe that environmental responsibility must be a national ethic, and that banning single-use plastic bags is an essential part of Ethiopia’s climate adaptation journey.
We urge the Ethiopian government to move forward with swift and full implementation of the proposed ban. This must be accompanied by strong public awareness campaigns, support and incentives for investment in local production of biodegradable alternatives, and support for low-income families and small businesses during the transition. In doing so, Ethiopia will not only reduce its environmental footprint, but also build greater resilience to the worsening impacts of climate change and will further enhance government’s green legacy campaign.
Together, we can forge a future where our cities are cleaner, our communities are healthier, and our nation is better prepared for the environmental challenges ahead. Let this be a moment where policy and faith walk hand in hand—for the sake of our land, our people, and the generations yet to come.
References
Mela’eke Selam Lealem, a dedicated priest deeply invested in the well-being of his community, resides In the Awi Zone, Banja Woreda, Bassa Kebele.