In an exciting new development for scaling global climate solutions, the Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO) has proudly joined forces with Groundswell and its partners, Global Optimism, Bezos Earth Fund, CDP, and other major organizations to launch Mission 2025. This ambitious campaign is designed to highlight the significant strides the world has made in addressing climate change and to challenge the notion that a 1.5℃ world is impossible. Instead, Mission 2025 aims to demonstrate that with continued effort and leadership, achieving this critical climate goal is within reach of world leaders who join ongoing efforts to scale existing solutions.

The Mission 2025 Initiative

Mission 2025 is not just a call to action but a testament to the progress already made in the fight against climate change. By focusing on the next 18 months, the initiative seeks to amplify and scale up current efforts, ensuring that the momentum for climate action continues to grow. The campaign’s core message is clear: the evidence supports the possibility of limiting global warming to 1.5℃, but it requires immediate and decisive action from leaders across all sectors.

GAYO’s Role in Mission 2025

GAYO’s participation in Mission 2025 underscores its commitment to driving meaningful climate action. As a key partner, GAYO will work alongside other influential organizations to advocate for policies and practices that call for a change in the narrative to scale solutions and advance an equitable just transition towards limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees. The collaboration aims to mobilize resources, share best practices, and inspire other entities to join the cause.

“It is true that young people are in despair of the future. We have reason to! However, we are also very hopeful and carrying matters into our hands. From reducing methane in Ghana to rooftop solar installations in Madagascar, sustainable agriculture in Botswana, and building zero waste cities in Uganda, we are scaling known solutions. And now, we need our leaders to lead us to a future where limiting 1.5 is a reality!”

Richard Matey, Climate Lead, GAYO.

At the launch event, Joshua Amponsem, Founder of GAYO, highlighted that young people are already actively involved in producing and expanding the ambitious climate solutions that exist today, including GAYO’s work on microgrid systems, climate adaptation, establishing youth climate councils globally and strengthening the workforce needed for a just transition. Now, GAYO is joining these global partners to call business leaders, policy makers, and governments to put enabling conditions in place to spotlight the solutions that exist, scale them, and provide a viable pathway to achieve the 1.5 degrees target of the Paris Agreement. This mission is at the core of GAYO’s work because, as an organization working to serve the youth movement, if we are not able to limit global warming to 1.5, the future for young people on the continent is very uncertain.

“The current narrative in Africa is that climate impacts are extreme: heat, floods, drought, and most often, people are waking up to eco-anxiety. It is about time to change that narrative about Africa when it comes to climate. Africa is a leading climate solution continent – young people are reforesting, championing sustainable agriculture, increasing our energy transition to renewables, and these stories are not out there yet.”

Joshua Amponsem, Founder, GAYO.

Global Collaboration for a Sustainable Future

Mission 2025 has gathered diverse partners who bring significant experience, resources, and community that is crucial to move forward with this core objective. By aligning with global leaders businesses, youth movements, and governments, can leverage its extensive networks and influence to drive change on a massive scale.

The Road Ahead

The next 18 months are critical. Mission 2025 calls on leaders, businesses, and individuals to commit to actions that will reduce emissions, promote renewable energy, and support sustainable development. The campaign is a clarion call for enhanced collaboration and innovation, aiming to secure a safer, more sustainable future for all.

Join the Mission

Mission 2025 is an open invitation for everyone to be part of the solution. Whether through policy advocacy, community initiatives, or personal lifestyle changes, every action counts. GAYO and its partners are setting the stage for a global movement that can turn the tide on climate change.

Mission 2025 is made possible by the radical collaboration of partners across the climate community, including but not limited to: ACT Climate Labs, the Bezos Earth Fund, The B Team, C2ES, C40, CDP, CECG, the Climate Champions, Climate Group, Club of Rome, Climate Crisis Advisory Group, Count Us In, E3G, Energy Transitions Commission, Exponential Roadmap Initiative, Green Africa Youth Organisation (GAYO), Media Bounty, Potential Energy Coalition, PRI, We Are Family Foundation, We Mean Business Coalition, and the World Business Council on Sustainable Development (WBCSD). 

Mission 2025 is convened by Groundswell – a collaboration between Global Optimism, Systems Change Lab, and the Bezos Earth Fund.