The first African Climate Summit@One (ACS@one) is a convention designed to review and assess the outcomes of the Africa Climate Summit held in Nairobi in 2023. The 2023 summit marked a pivotal moment for the continent and the Global South in addressing climate change impacts, with over 30,000 participants in attendance.

The ACS@one convention focuses on pledges such as $26 billion in green investments, including a $4.5 billion commitment from the United Arab Emirates, $23 billion in clean energy projects from Green Investment, and the African Carbon Markets Initiative’s aim to generate 300 million carbon credits annually by 2030.

Additionally, Germany pledged €450 million, including €100 million for loss and damage initiatives and €100 million for the African Development Bank’s Climate Action Window. Civil society organizations (CSOs) are leading efforts to evaluate progress on these commitments, aiming to build resilience against climate shocks.

Jacob’s Ladder Africa (JLA), in collaboration with the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ KE), the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA), and various CSOs, is partnering with the Kenyan government’s Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry to host the ACS@one convention.

This CSO-led approach seeks to provide recommendations and momentum through analysis and assessment of progress since the Africa Climate Summit. This meeting is the first in a series of thematic pre-convening events leading up to ACS@one, focusing on climate adaptation, resilience, and youth and child inclusion. The oncoming event of ACS@one in February will give a stock of the journey undertaken in the implementation of the outcomes since the Africa Climate Summit in 2023.

JLA has emphasized the job creation potential within Africa’s green economy, stressing that by leveraging the continent’s resources, issues like unemployment can be effectively addressed. Currently, 54% of Africa’s youth workforce is employed in the agriculture sector, yet 65% are at risk from climate change, with productivity projected to decline by 13% by 2030.

In the informal sector, which employs 93% of youth, 72% of jobs are vulnerable to climate shocks, and social protection coverage is limited to 8.9%. Therefore, it’s crucial for assessment, and meaningful engagement to ensure that the communities are well-engaged upon which solutions can be arrived at.

During the convention launch, Sellah Bogonko, CEO and Co-Founder of Jacob’s Ladder Africa highlighted the historic significance of ACS, as it underscores the continent’s commitment to finding solutions to climate-related challenges. She noted that the Africa Climate Summit represented a new chapter in Africa’s journey to lead in conversations about climate change and the unique solutions the continent can offer to the world.

Leaders from across Africa formulated the Nairobi Declaration, a document outlining green economy opportunities by transitioning to low-carbon emissions and green energy, which can further support job creation.

“If implemented, the outcomes of ACS will significantly alter Africa’s trajectory. For this reason, Jacob’s Ladder Africa, alongside partners from the private sector, civil society, and the Kenyan government, has led efforts to review progress since the summit. This includes key thematic convenings set to occur ahead of ACS@one in February 2025,” added Bogonko.

ACS@one Delves in Green Economy Potential

The continent stands to gain substantial benefits from a green economy, with potential growth in climate-smart agriculture, renewable energy, circular economy, and green construction and infrastructure.

The renewable energy sector, for example, could create up to 4 million jobs, with 60% accessible to youth, supported by a 45% technical and 55% vocational skill level distribution. Additionally, climate-smart agriculture is projected to generate 3.1 million new jobs and 2.5 million entrepreneurial opportunities, with value chain roles numbering 1.8 million by 2030.

Fridah Ngige from Kenya Climate Governance emphasized the importance of adaptation, particularly for communities on the frontline of climate impacts. “Today’s convening provides an opportunity to move from pledges to actions that frontline communities are already undertaking,” she stated.

ACS@one arrives at a critical time, just ahead of COP29, with an agenda to tackle key issues such as energy poverty affecting 600 million Africans, access to clean drinking water for 400 million, inadequate sanitation facilities for 700 million, rapid urbanization (projected to exceed 1 billion urban residents by 2050), and the rising climate vulnerability in informal settlements.