A section of leaders and Civil society activists are calling for urgent measures to be put in place to address climate change and its economic impact following the Nairobi Declaration agreed upon during the 2023 Africa Climate Summit (ACS).

The groups led by Jacob’s Ladder Africa (JLA) and partners such as the German Corporation for International Cooperation, Kenya (GIZ KE), the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) and various Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), insisted on the needs for Kenya and Africa to ensure that what was agreed upon has been enacted.

The leaders called for a diamond approach to climate action that integrates government, private sector, NGOs, and development partners to ensure that issues of climate change are addressed.

The 2023 Summit came up with unprecedented commitments, including youth and children’s inclusion, sustainable agriculture, and climate-resilient infrastructure.

The said commitments were to serve as milestones to monitor the implementation of these goals and present data on progress, ensuring that Africa continues to lead in accountable climate action. Statistics from the Nairobi Declaration, such as the need to provide clean drinking water to 400 million Africans and improve urban infrastructure to accommodate Africa’s projected 1 billion urban population by 2050, will be among the focal points for the events.

Thematic convening

Speaking during the Adaptation and Resilience Deep Dive Thematic Convening for ACS@, Sellah Bogonko, CEO of Jacob’s Ladder Africa, stressed the urgency of job creation as a key opportunity within the climate action space.

Bogonko stated that the ground-breaking Africa Climate Summit (ACS) represented a new chapter in Africa’s journey of owning and steering the conversation on the unique climate change solutions that Africa can offer to the world. She said that the summit was also an opportunity to set in motion partnerships and solutions that would greatly impact the lives of African youth.

She said: “If implemented, the outcomes of ACS will significantly change the trajectory of Africa. For this reason, Jacob’s Ladder Africa, in conjunction with partners in the private sector, civil society organizations and the Government of Kenya, have led the charge to take stock of the progress made since ACS, in February 2025, along with key thematic convenings taking place prior.”

Head of KEPSA Consult, Circular Economy and Climate Change, Jacob Koimbori, emphasized the private sector’s significant role in emissions reductions, noting that approximately 77 per cent of global carbon emissions originate from private companies.

He said: “The private sector is at the forefront of this conversation,” Koimbori stated. “We are educating our members to embrace renewable energy because this will help cut carbon emissions. Collaborating in initiatives like these, with the government and NGOs, strengthens our role in achieving sustainable growth and moving toward COP29 with actionable recommendations.”