Addis Ababa and rapidly urbanising cities in Ethiopia, including Dire Dawa, Hawassa, Mekelle, Bahir Dar, and Adama, are experiencing increasing exposure to ambient air pollution, urban heat stress, and associated public health risks as a result of accelerated urban growth, rising traffic volumes dominated by high-emitting diesel vehicles, construction-related dust, open waste burning, and the progressive loss of urban green cover, with these pressures amplified by climate change. Elevated concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅) and higher land surface and ambient air temperatures disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, increasing the burden of respiratory and cardiovascular disease, heat-related morbidity, and reduced labour productivity.

Urban greening interventions, including street and community tree planting, green corridors, urban parks, shaded public spaces, and green roofs, constitute cost-effective nature-based solutions that, when strategically planned and adapted to local climatic conditions, hydrology, and socio-economic contexts, can reduce pollutant concentrations through deposition and dispersion, mitigate urban heat island effects via shading and evapotranspiration, and deliver co-benefits for physical activity, mental health, and overall urban liveability, while strengthening climate resilience across Addis Ababa and Ethiopia’s cities.