Directorate for Climate Action (DCA)
To reduce risk and vulnerability to climate change, strengthen resilience, enhance well-being and the capacity to anticipate, and respond successfully to change.
Innovation For Climate Change Mitigation, Adaptation And Livelihoods Sustenance
Through this program, we enhance the capacity of communities to develop innovative approaches for mitigating the effects of climate change and enhancing their awareness of climate-smart practices. Our aim is to contribute to the long-term outcome of reduced community dependence on non-renewable energy and industrial products.
Our Strategic Objectives
Scale Youth-Led Climate-Tech Solutions: Develop and deploy innovative, accessible civic-tech tools to enable 100,000 youth to monitor climate impacts and advocate for justice by 2030, aligning with AU’s Climate Strategy.
Foster Inclusive Climate Advocacy: Build capacity among diverse youth, with 50% female participation, to use civic-tech for climate resilience and policy advocacy, addressing Africa’s 60% youth demographic.
Drive Climate Justice Policy Integration: Advocate for 10 national climate justice policies by 2030, collaborating with AU and RECs to ensure equitable climate finance and adaptation measures.
DCA Programs
ClimateTech Innovation Lab
Description: A pan-African lab to fund and mentor 50 youth-led civic-tech startups annually, focusing on climate justice tools like carbon footprint trackers, climate finance monitors, and adaptation apps.
Outcomes: 25 scalable climate-tech solutions deployed, 5,000 youth trained, and 5 AU policy recommendations adopted by 2030.
Rationale: Addresses Africa’s vulnerability to climate change (e.g., 80% of agriculture is rain-fed) by empowering youth innovators, aligning with CELEG’s one-million-youth goal.
Jukumu Mazingira (Youth Climate Justice Campaign)
Description: A pan-African campaign, inspired to mobilize youth for adaptation: local environmental stewardship (i.e., ecosystem restoration), and climate justice advocacy via digital platforms, focusing on equitable climate finance and adaptation for marginalized communities. It includes virtual workshops, social media campaigns, and AU policy dialogues.
Outcomes: 100,000 youth mobilized, 10 national policies reformed for climate justice, and 5 AU resolutions influenced by 2030.
Rationale: Addresses inequitable climate impacts (e.g., 7-20% GDP loss in Africa by 2050) by empowering youth to advocate for fairness.
Digital Climate Justice Academy
Description: A training program to equip 10,000 youth annually with digital literacy, climate advocacy, and civic-tech skills (e.g., data visualization, policy analysis) using low-tech platforms like SMS and WhatsApp. This Climate Advocacy Training for Youths (CATY) equips participants with the knowledge, tools, and strategies to engage in climate advocacy—understanding global frameworks, amplifying their voices locally and internationally, and driving impactful action on sustainability.
Outcomes: 50,000 youth trained, 1,000 community climate initiatives launched, and 20% increase in youth participation in climate policy by 2030.
Rationale: Enhances youth agency in climate governance, addressing low digital literacy (43% internet penetration) and Africa’s disproportionate climate impacts.
ClimateWatch Citizen Platform
Description: A crowdsourcing platform, modeled on Ushahidi, for youth to report climate impacts (e.g., floods, droughts) and track government climate commitments via SMS and mobile apps, partnering with CSOs and media for policy impact.
Outcomes: 500,000 citizen reports mapped, 50 policy interventions influenced, and 10,000 youth engaged in monitoring by 2030.
Rationale: Leverages Africa’s 45% mobile penetration to promote transparency and youth-led climate accountability.
