Thandiwe Muriel Chinyavanhu

Environmental lawyer leading climate justice efforts in Southern Africa

Thandiwe Muriel Chinyavanhu is a Zimbabwean environmental lawyer and activist whose advocacy has advanced climate justice and community rights across Southern Africa. As the Africa program director at the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), she leads strategic litigation efforts targeting fossil fuel projects and promoting renewable energy transitions. Her work includes challenging coal plants in Mozambique and advocating for just transitions in energy sectors. Chinyavanhu's legal expertise and grassroots focus were critical in securing a landmark 2021 court ruling that blocked a coal mine in South Africa's Limpopo province, setting a precedent for climate litigation. She also co-founded the African Climate Justice Alliance, a network connecting over 500 organizations across 30 countries. A vocal advocate for gender equality in environmental decision-making, she has testified before the UN Human Rights Council on the disproportionate impact of climate change on women. Chinyavanhu's TED Talk "Climate justice needs your voice" has been viewed over 2 million times, amplifying her message that climate action must center frontline communities. Her leadership was recognized with the 2022 Goldman Environmental Prize, often called the 'green Nobel.'