The Africa Climate Summit was an inaugural continental event that brought together key stakeholders from across Africa and beyond to address the challenges related to climate change, socio-economic development, and the pressing need for climate finance for African countries.
The summit served as a platform for governments, private sector organizations, academia, civil society groups and individuals among others to collaborate, share knowledge, and formulate strategies to ensure Africa can mitigate and adapt to the impacts resulting from climate change while ensuring that developmental aims for the continent are met. The purpose of the summit was also to ensure that African countries have a shared position leading up to COP 28 which will take place in Dubai later this year.
Strathmore University played a prominent role in this pivotal summit, with Prof. Jacqueline McGlade, Dr. Irene Ngunjiri and Dr. Mumbi Wachira (members of faculty at SBS) leading a team of graduate and undergraduate students in supporting the Secretariat of the Africa Climate Summit. During the summit proceedings, Strathmore University assumed the responsibility of meticulously documenting the event’s discussions and insights, culminating in a comprehensive report slated for presentation to the government post the summit.
Furthermore, alongside the Africa Climate Summit, Strathmore University actively engaged in a series of side events, including a significant collaboration with Boston Consulting Group and AU Bar to explore the African Pastoral Markets Development (APMD) Platform—a noteworthy initiative dedicated to addressing vital pastoral market issues in Africa.
Another notable side event, hosted by Strathmore University in partnership with Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS) and Global LPG Partnerships, delved into Africa’s potential to attain Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7): Clean Cooking. This innovative session explored the utilization of organic Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) generated in urban centers to produce renewable “Bio” LPG, a clean cooking fuel. It emphasized the necessity of well-considered policies, pathways, and infrastructural frameworks to enable modern waste handling and organic waste conversion into biogas, subsequently refined into Bio LPG (bio propane and bio butane).
Indeed, the academic community plays a pivotal role in driving climate action and advocacy, especially in a region as environmentally diverse and vulnerable as Africa. Strathmore University’s commitment to sustainability through its theme this year: Sustainability: Caring for People and Planet, underscores the institutions commitment to fostering awareness and action on multiple fonts such as education and research, awareness and advocacy, curriculum integration, community engagement, global partnerships, leading by example and innovation and technology among others.
By emphasizing the importance of caring for both people and the planet, academic institutions like Strathmore University can inspire students, faculty, and the wider community to take meaningful action toward a more sustainable and resilient future in Africa and beyond.
By Juliet Hinga
