Climate Activists Plan Actions Across Africa Ahead of COP27 in Egypt

As this year’s UN climate talks are set to be held in Egypt, climate activists across the continent are organizing actions to highlight the severity of the climate crisis and call for urgent climate action.

The activists are not only calling on governments and financial institutions to put measures in place to address the climate crisis and bring an end to fossil fuel exploration, but also accelerate plans and investments for a just and rapid transition to renewable energy.

The actions will be held in solidarity with the Global climate strikes on the 23rd of September, when climate activists the world over hold protests to call for climate justice.

In the wake of increasingly devastating climate impacts, climate activists on the frontlines of the climate crisis underscore the need for developed nations to curb their fossil fuel reliance, to fund  those most affected to build resilience to these impacts and realize a just transition to renewable energy. As Africa suffers disproportionately from the impacts of the climate crisis, climate activists hope that these planned actions will prompt decisive climate action.

Key Activities by Location:

Kasese, Uganda: Omupiira for climate justice, a football match to sensitize communities about climate change and mitigation measures on 18th September 4pm EAT

Accra, Ghana: Artivism workshop as part of the Solar for Schools campaign to sensitize students on renewable energy potential for Ghana on 23rd September at 9am WAT

Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo:  Protests against the auctioning of oil and gas blocks in DRC on 23rd September at 9:30am CAT

Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo: Music concert in Goma calling for an oil and gas free DRC on 23rd September at 4pm CAT

Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo: Climate march calling for the cancellation of the auctioning of the oil & gas blocks in DRC on 23rd September at 10am CAT

San-Pedro, Ivory Coast: Mobilization against the coal/gas power plant in San-Pedro on 23rd September at 10am GMT

Cotonou, Benin: Renewable energy messages exhibition on 23rd September at 9:30am GMT

Lome, Togo: Climate justice march targeting African Development Bank (AfDB) to highlight the need to fund renewable energy instead of fossil fuels on September 23rd at 9am GMT

Yaounde, Cameroun:  Climate march to highlight the demands of activists calling for climate action ahead of the UN climate talks(COP27) on 24th September at 7am CAT

Gitega, Burundi:  Youth mobilization to raise awareness on climate justice and highlight demands for climate action ahead of the UN climate talks (COP27) on September 24th at 9am CAT

Senegal (Virtual): Twitter storm on gas development in Senegal targeting President Macky Sall and Chancellor Scholz on 23rd September at 11am GMT

Nairobi, Kenya: People before Profit march calling for a fossil-free Kenya and Loss and Damage finance for Africa on 24th September  at  8AM EAT

Abuja, Nigeria: Media roundtable on the Nigeria energy transition plan on 4th October.

South Africa: During this year’s global climate strikes, several events and days of action are happening in South Africa. A few are mentioned below. Members of the media and public are invited to follow 350Africa on social media to track the numerous actions.

Cape Town, Western Cape:  African Climate Alliance are organising a #MarchforSystemChange, inviting youth, civil society and concerned citizens to march from Hanover Street to Cape Town Parliament on Heritage Day,  24 September 2022 at 10:30 CAT.

Sasolburg, Free State: Vaal Environmental Justice Alliance (VEJA) will be protesting against Eskom and Seriti mining company in Sasolburg, Northern Free State, on 29 September 2022 as part of their Climate and Energy Campaign, which focuses on the impacts of South Africa’s reliance on nonrenewable energy.

Mokopane, Limpopo: Youth Climate Action Dialogue on 23rd September at 9am CAT

Enviro Vito and Waterburg Women’s Association will be engaging with young people on the impacts of climate change in their daily lives and how they can actively participate in climate action activities in their communities.