Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – The fifth and final C40 Cities Regional Leadership Masterclass on Climate Governance took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 24-25 March.
The landmark event, themed “From Legacy to Leadership: Institutionalising the Addis Ababa Climate Agenda for COP32,” marked the official handover of the Urban Climate Action Programme – Climate Action Implementation (UCAP CAI) to the city government. The convening brought together political leaders and technical experts to bridge the gap between donor-funded assistance and permanent municipal leadership and signals a critical transition as Addis Ababa prepares to take the global stage as the host city for COP32 in 2027. A high-level handover ceremony was held between C40 officials and Addis Ababa Environmental Protection Authority and the Addis Ababa Cleansing Management Agency. A City Steering Committee of the thirteen key sectors was officially launched.
Organised by the Addis Ababa City Administration Environmental Protection Authority (AACAEPA) with support from the UK government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and C40 Cities, the event formally operationalised the Addis Ababa City Administration (AACA) Climate Change Steering Committee, ensuring climate goals are integrated into the city’s record 350 billion Birr municipal budget.
Building a Green Legacy: From UCAP CAI to COP32
Addis Ababa is a leader in African climate action, with its Climate Action Plan (CAP) 2021–2025 serving as a roadmap to carbon neutrality by 2050. As the UCAP CAI programme concludes its 2022–2026 cycle, the city is celebrating significant achievements in its highest-emitting sectors: Transport (53%) and Waste (26%).
Key UCAP CAI milestones being handed over to the city include:
- Waste Transformation: Support for 26 compost-producing SMEs (60% women-led), which has increased production five-fold and significantly reduced methane emissions at the Koshe dumpsite.
- Building Efficiency: Energy audits of 7 flagship municipal buildings and the drafting of a Green Building Regulation, projected to save 78,000 tCO_2e annually.
- Renewable Energy Scaling: A strategic technical exercise to scale Solar PV across municipal infrastructure, utilising financing models designed to attract private investment and leverage City Treasury funds.
- Strengthened Governance: The establishment of a permanent Climate Change Steering Committee to break down departmental silos and align climate projects with the city’s Ten-Year Development Plan.
Dr. Eshetu Lemma, Head of Addis Ababa City Administration and Cleaning Waste Management Agency, said: “C40 has been a key actor in developing our Climate Action Plan and providing the technical tools necessary to track our progress. These interventions directly complement the city’s flagship green legacy, riverside developments, and our transition to sustainable mass transport, all of which are critical to Ethiopia’s journey toward hosting a successful COP32. Through the UCAP CAI programme, we have established a multisectoral Steering Committee and developed Key Performance Indicators that provide clear data on our greenhouse gas emissions. However, to scale our impact, we must continue to generate robust data that enables our policymakers to make informed decisions and unlock the investment opportunities necessary for a climate-resilient future.”
Anthony Okoth, C40’s Regional Director for Africa, said: “Addis Ababa’s journey through the UCAP CAI programme has been transformative. The city’s ability to transition technical successes into permanent municipal policy and budget priorities is a model for the entire continent. As the host of COP32, Addis Ababa is not just planning for the future; it is actively building the institutional and financial foundations necessary for long-term climate success”.
Masterclass Focus: The “Addis Mandate”
The final Regional Leadership Masterclass will focus on anchoring climate funding within the City Treasury to ensure a lasting legacy:
- Political Mandate: Securing the “COP32 Legacy” and activating the official Steering Committee.
- Climate Finance: Presenting the “Business Case for Climate” to mobilise for dedicated budget lines in the next fiscal cycle.
- Institutional Anchoring: Aligning departmental KPIs with national climate commitments and the city’s long-term development goals.
By hosting this final regional convening, Addis Ababa celebrates the culmination of years of technical assistance and capacity building provided through the UCAP CAI programme and its role as a leader in the global fight against the climate crisis.