Elizabeth Wathuti, a dedicated environmentalist and dynamic young climate leader from Kenya, is the driving force behind positive change. She is the visionary Founder of the Green Generation Initiative (GGI). Her efforts extend to leading and establishing the Wangari Maathai Foundation’s Youth Hub, which recently played a crucial role in supporting the largest delegation of African youth at COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Elizabeth’s commitment to environmental preservation is further exemplified by her role as a Counties Advisory Committee (CAC) member for the Upper Tana Nairobi Water Fund and the youngest Presidential Appointee in Kenya as a Commissioner representing civil society and youth at the Nairobi Rivers Commission.
Her global impact is undeniable, having served as the Global South Youth Co-chair for the COP26 Civil Society and Youth Advisory Council during the United Kingdom (UK) Government’s COP26 presidency and recently organized and spearheaded the Lead Coordination of the first and biggest ever African Youth Climate Assembly (ACYA), which also served as the formal youth engagement mechanism for the Africa Climate Summit. She also had the honor of addressing hundreds of world leaders at the World Leaders’ Summit opening ceremony during COP26 in Glasgow.
Additionally, Elizabeth Wathuti is a dedicated youth council member of International Reserva: The Youth Land Trust. Her remarkable leadership and unwavering dedication have garnered recognition from esteemed organizations and award programs worldwide. Elizabeth is a proud recipient of the Wangari Maathai Scholarship Award, UN Young Champions of the Earth, TIME100, the Diana International Award, the Africa Green Person of the Year Award, the Young Climate Champion Award by the Global Climate Fund (GCF), The Commonwealth Youth Awards, the 2023 Amnesty International Chair Award – Ghent University, and will receive the 2023 TIME Impact award in Singapore on 17th September, 2023, and many others.
Elizabeth Wathuti holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies and Community Development from Kenyatta University. She has consistently been acknowledged as one of the most influential young Africans for three consecutive years. Her passion and dedication continue to inspire and drive change on a global scale.