Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke has been elected Fellow of the World Academy of Sciences for the Advancement of Science in Developing Countries in recognition of his contribution to science and its promotion in the developing world.
According to a statement, Okereke is a professor in Global Governance and Public Policy at the School for Policy Studies, Bristol University, UK, and Director of the Center for Climate Change and Development, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State.
It stated that Okereke was a globally recognized leading scholar on global climate governance and international development, specializing in the justice dimensions of the international climate regime and just societal transitions to the green economy.
According to the statement, he had a track record of high-impact research focused on understanding and addressing systemic barriers to economic and social inclusion in the context of climate policy and green economy transitions.
“He drafted a climate change law in Nigeria, modelling Nigeria’s long-term low-carbon development strategy, designing African Unions’ Adaptation Initiative, and drafting the first-ever national green growth plan in Africa, for the Government of Rwanda,” it said.
He is a leading member of the Global Earth Commission’s Safe and Just Transformation Working Group and Coordinator of the African Forum Climate Change, Energy and Development, and the leading African Network of scholars, policymakers and practitioners working on climate change and sustainability transitions in Africa.
Okereke said, “I am delighted to have been elected Fellow of the World Academy of Sciences for the advancement of science in developing countries. It means a lot to me because I have always been driven by a desire to highlight the challenges faced by developing countries in addressing climate change while also pursuing economic growth as well as the opportunities to leverage climate action to build resilience and achieve economic growth.
“Developing countries face multiple challenges related to colonial legacy and unjust international economic order which work to the advantage of advanced countries.”
According to him, approaching climate governance from the framework of justice enables us to tackle, not just the issue of climate pollution, but also the more fundamental question of global equity and fairness needed to ensure that everyone can lead a decent life regardless of where they are born.
“This recognition encourages me to continue to work as there is still quite a long way to go to achieve climate justice for the vulnerable countries of the world,” Okereke added.
