Lindiwe Majele Sigasigali

A South African climate change expert who championed climate justice for African nations through global policy advocacy

Lindiwe Majele Sigasigali is a pioneering climate change advocate from South Africa whose work has profoundly influenced international climate policy frameworks. As a lead negotiator for the African Group during UN climate talks, she successfully pushed for mechanisms that ensure developed nations provide financial and technological support to developing countries affected by climate change. Her advocacy directly contributed to key provisions in the Paris Agreement regarding loss and damage mechanisms.

Sigasigali founded the African Climate Reality Project, an initiative that trains young African leaders to become climate activists. Through this organization, she has empowered over 5,000 youth across 47 African countries to lead local climate action projects. Her 2015 TED Talk "What Climate Change Means for Africa" has been viewed over 2 million times, raising global awareness about the continent's unique vulnerabilities.

In 2018, she co-authored the "Climate Justice for Africa Framework", which became a blueprint for African nations' climate negotiations. Her work with the UN Development Programme (UNDP) on climate adaptation strategies has directly benefited 12 million smallholder farmers through drought-resistant crop initiatives. Sigasigali's innovative approach combines policy advocacy with grassroots empowerment, making her a transformative figure in global environmental governance.