Climate change has been defined as the worst catastrophe of our generation. Even what we are living through right now, is only a small fraction of the carnage that can be expected if the world is unable to keep to the Paris Agreement goals to limit global warming to well below 2, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels. 

This past year, we had what has been dubbed ‘The African COP’ in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt. While there were high hopes for COP27, for many it is felt that some of the commitments and pledges are still too little, too late and do not take into account the urgency of the crisis. One thing that is becoming overwhelmingly clear is that even though Africa and other developing nations did not cause the climate crisis, they are bearing the worst brunt. 

African voices, including the voices of Africa’s women must be heard as decisions are made that will affect the future of the world as we know it. This means that solutions to the crisis must take into account the realities on the ground for Africans and other heavily affected people in the world, but also that Africans must have a seat at the decision making table. This is the reason why in this report we look at the top Africans who are shaping discussion and shaking up their communities to respond to the climate crisis.