NAIROBI, KENYA – Africa Leadership Transformation (ALT) Foundation Chief Executive Officer Daniel Kamanga has called on Africa to take the lead in restoring the global climate, describing the climate crisis as a failure of leadership rather than simply an environmental challenge.
Speaking during the launch of the world's first Certificate in Leadership for Climate Restoration (CLCR) programme at Karatina University in Kenya, Mr. Kamanga said the global response to climate change has lacked the urgency needed to reverse the crisis.
"The climate crisis is actually a leadership crisis," Kamanga said. "The fact that we have not attended to this issue with the urgency it deserves represents a shortfall in leadership or a lack of imagination."
He said that while climate mitigation and adaptation remain important, they are no longer sufficient on their own, arguing that the focus must now shift toward climate restoration.
Mr. Kamanga noted that atmospheric carbon dioxide levels need to be reduced from the current 419 parts per million (ppm) to 300 ppm or below to restore the climate.
"At the moment, the conversation is stuck. We are merely managing the crisis instead of resolving it," he said.
Foundation for Climate Restoration (F4CR) representative Carole Douglis said restoring the climate by 2050 is both achievable and necessary.
She noted that the Earth's natural systems historically maintained atmospheric carbon dioxide at or below 300 ppm, adding that the world should aim to return to those levels.
The programme attracted nearly 40 participants, most of them from Kenya's county governments, reflecting the country's devolved approach to climate governance.
It also brought together representatives from several African institutions, including Mukuba University in Zambia, Bishop Stuart University in Uganda, Amref University, Outspan University, and Karatina University in Kenya.
The ALT Foundation, headquartered in South Africa with operations in Zambia and South Africa, is leading the initiative in partnership with participating universities and climate organisations.
Karatina University Director of Resource Mobilisation and International Programmes Professor Kellen Kiambati described the programme as a significant step towards strengthening climate leadership across Africa.
She said the course will continue to be offered to county government officials, non-governmental organisations, and private sector leaders.
Professor Kiambati added that Africa is well positioned to lead global climate restoration efforts because it contributes the least to global greenhouse gas emissions while facing some of the greatest climate impacts.
She said the programme aims to equip leaders with the knowledge and skills needed to move beyond managing climate change and towards restoring the planet's climate for future generations.