Jonathan Gichuru (ELP 2022) | Environmental Consultant, Alliance Bioversity and International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Kenya| Sustainability and Partnerships Consultant, ImpactDev Africa, Kenya

The Beahrs Environmental Leadership Program (ELP) at the University of California, Berkeley serves as a north star for environmental professionals shaping and equipping them with the relevant skills to become thought leaders in their areas of specialization. Jonathan, an alumnus of the ELP 2022, is grateful to have undergone the rigorous program and has positioned himself as an emerging thought leader with a profound passion for climate change adaptation, environmental policy, and food security in Africa.

Climate and food systems present complex challenges for professionals. Business as usual models of solving the complex challenges for instance, the traditional top-down, hierarchical and linear approaches, have failed over time. Innovative and adaptive approaches are crucial to engage broad networks of diverse stakeholders who share a common vision for systemic change. This inspires Jonathan as an emerging leader to ‘see‘ the system in new ways.

With this mindset, Jonathan has been actively applying the knowledge and skills gained in various impactful ways, solidifying his commitment to transforming environmental insights into real-world solutions. Some key achievements include:

Jonathan played a pivotal role in organizing this forum, leveraging concepts learned during ELP, such as stakeholder engagement, facilitation, negotiation, and consensus building. The event focused on crucial topics, including Impact Investing, Sustainability, Green Finance, and Climate Change, bringing together key stakeholders from the private and government sectors.

In collaboration, Jonathan co-authored a chapter titled "Toward the Circular Qatari Zero-Waste Management Sector," contributing to the Gulf Studies book series (GS, volume 9). This chapter highlights Qatar's solid waste management system's evolution and its recent technological advancements.

At ImpactDev Africa, Jonathan assumed a crucial role in developing sustainability strategies for companies and facilitating impact reporting, aligning with frameworks such as B Corporation Certification.

Applying systems leadership principles acquired from ELP, Jonathan is navigating the intricacies of analyzing Good Agricultural Practices GAPs) in 15 country packages. He is currently engaged under the ‘’cross-country study on resilience capacities through good agricultural practices in selected value chains’’ project, funded by GIZ.

Recently, Jonathan participated as a delegate in the Final Intergovernmental Consultations on Nature-based Solutions at UNEP HQ in Nairobi, Kenya from 9th – 13th Oct 2023. 

Jonathan is also actively providing his contribution as a research and reporting volunteer for the Conference of Youth (COY 18) ahead of COP 28 in the UAE.

As we head closer to COP 28, Jonathan envisions a transformative outcome that addresses the urgent global challenges of climate change and food security. We all have a common responsibility even though we have different capabilities. For Jonathan, the first step is to recognize Africa as an ‘equal partner’ in the global climate change discourse rather than being viewed as a continent ‘in need.’

As a passionate advocate for climate action and food system transformation, Jonathan sets his sights on COP 28 as a pivotal moment for global leaders to increase ambition in meeting growing adaptation needs. He emphasizes the critical goal of doubling global levels of adaptation finance by 2025, aligning with the latest Adaptation Gap Report by UNEP. Global adaptation needs are over 50% higher than previously anticipated with a financing gap of US$ 194 -366 billion a year.

According to the African Deelopment Bank, distribution of finances is the biggest challenge to climate action. It is important  to note that money is not necessarily scarce but unevenly distributed. The question then becomes, how do we create a facilitation modality to move money from where it is more abundant and perhaps less needed to where it is less abundant and needed more. This is crucial to cover the 1.6 trillion dollars needed annually between now and 2030 to implement Nationally determined Contributions (NDCs). For Jonathan, an ideal COP28 should also champion for countries to transform NDCs and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) into attractive investment opportunities. 

Jonathan advocates for private-sector financing, echoing the findings of the 2023 African Economic Outlook report by the African Development Bank. The report underscores the pivotal role of the private sector in financing Africa's climate action and green growth ambitions, given the strained public finances in most African countries. To close Africa’s climate financing gap by 2030, approximately $213.4 billion will need to be mobilized annually from the private sector, to complement constrained public resources.

Also, an ideal outcome of COP 28, according to Jonathan, involves incorporating outcomes and discussions from major events leading up to the conference. Regional Climate Weeks (Africa Climate Week - ACW 2023, Middle East and North Africa Climate Week - MENACW 2023, Latin America and the Caribbean Climate Week - LACCW 2023, and the Asia-Pacific Climate Week - APCW 2023) have set the stage for meaningful dialogue.

Additionally, The African Climate Summit (The Nairobi Declaration etc), The African Youth Climate Assembly (AYCA 2023 Declaration etc), and the COY 18 (Global Youth Statement etc) contribute valuable insights that should be integrated into COP 28 discussions. Jonathan emphasizes the need for actionable outcomes to emerge from these events, guiding the global community toward a more resilient and equitable future.

As we anticipate COP 28, Jonathan's perspective encapsulates the urgency of the global climate crisis and the need for collaborative, innovative solutions. His vision aligns with the transformative experiences provided by ELP and the Systems Leadership Lab, which have paved the way for opportunities where he actively contributes to shaping a sustainable future.