The Ministry of Transport and Logistics has tabled a draft directive introducing national vehicle emission standards, seeking broad stakeholder engagement to address urban air pollution, improve fuel efficiency, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The proposed regulation, Directive No. 1051/2017 on Emissions of Pollutants, was presented at a forum in Addis Ababa attended by representatives from government institutions, the private sector, and environmental bodies. The ministry said the directive is designed to safeguard citizens’ constitutional right to a clean environment and align Ethiopia’s transport sector with global climate objectives.

State Minister Bareo Hassan noted that, once approved, the directive is expected to reduce health risks associated with vehicle exhaust, enhance road safety by addressing mechanical defects, and support the country’s commitments under international environmental agreements. The proposal mandates the installation of exhaust gas reduction technology on vehicles and requires fuel to be sourced only from certified distribution points.

The urgency of such measures is underlined by recent data showing that road transport accounts for approximately 68 percent of Addis Ababa’s direct greenhouse gas emissions. The city’s annual average PM2.5 concentration (particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less) exceeds World Health Organization guidelines by more than threefold, contributing to an estimated 2,700 premature deaths each year — a figure projected to rise to over 6,200 by 2025 without intervention. Transport emissions have also been linked to higher rates of respiratory illness, cardiovascular disease, and childhood asthma.

Assefa Hadis, Advisor to the Ministry, said the directive targets pollutants that contribute to these health risks, while also aiming to limit greenhouse gas output and improve environmental safety, particularly in densely populated areas. He added that the Ethiopian Standards Institute has set technical benchmarks for emission-control systems to support implementation.