Reflections on the Ethiopia Declaration{ACS2}: What It Means for Local Climate Action
The Africa Climate Summit in Addis Ababa marked a turning point for the continent’s climate journey. With the Ethiopia Declaration , leaders sent a powerful message: Africa will not wait for aid ; we are ready to lead with homegrown solutions, driven by fairness, justice, and investment. At Tulia Africa Initiative, a youth-led organization working with communities in Kenya’s drylands, we followed the Summit closely. The commitments made in Addis resonate deeply with our work and raise important questions about the future of grassroots climate action. Climate Finance as Investment The pledge to mobilize $50 billion annually is historic. It shifts the narrative from climate aid to climate investment. Yet for local organizations like ours, the real challenge remains: will these resources trickle down to the grassroots? The Declaration’s call for grant-based, predictable, and accessible finance gives us hope. If honored, it could finally open doors for youth-led groups that have...