Launch of the 7th Assessment Cycle (AR7) for Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

The University of Nairobi was lauded for its leadership role in climate change action through its various contribution of human resource, research and its academic centres of excellence.

This was echoed during the launch of the 7th Assessment Cycle (AR7) on Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change on Friday, August 11, 2023 that was hosted by the Ministry of Environment, Meteorological Department

The meeting was attended by representatives from the University of Nairobi, the African Group of Negotiator Experts, and the National Focal Point, the Kenya Meterological Department and many other stakeholders.

When making his opening remarks, the Ag Vice Chancellor, University of Nairobi, Prof. Julius Ogengo, took pride in mentioning that: "As an institution of higher learning, the University of Nairobi is immensely proud to keep producing high standards of researchers and research outputs in all fields of humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences, in particular, in the field of climate science. In fact, we have a renowned Institute for Climate Change and Adaptation that produces quality research outputs."

He went on to give a testament to the quality of climate scientists produced by the UoN:

"During the 6th assessment cycle of the IPCC, the university gave some of its best researchers to lead the work of chapters in Working Group I as well as Working Group II from the Faculty of Science and Technology (Professors Daniel Olago and Joseph Mutemi), and we are indeed pleased that both the current IPCC focal point and the alternate for Kenya are alumni of our institution.

Prof. Ogengo also congratulated Dr. Cromwel Lukorito, a distinguished senior lecturer in the Department of Earth and Climate Sciences at the University of Nairobi, who was elected as Vice Chair of Working Group II (IPCC) during the just concluded elections. He pledged the University’s support during his tenure at the IPCC through Human Resource and through research.

While giving his speech, Dr. Cromwel Lukorito thanked the ministry for believing in his ability to deliver, describing this as not a position but as a challenge.

Dr. Lukorito noted that some of the most important steps that will be undertaken in regards to Assessment Cycle 7, “We should reorganize ourselves to take research in this regard. AR 7 will provide logistical support to researchers by assisting Africa’s scientists to publish their research output in high impact scientific journals. We will recruit more authors that will increase the number of African researchers on the climate change thematic area.

The chief guest, Hon. Soipan Tuya, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry, while presiding over the ceremony, noted that the climate crisis is biting everybody equally; we are all feeling the pinch and must come together to find solutions.

Hon. Soipan also urged Kenyans and all those present to register for the climate summit, which will take place from September 4–8, 2023, so as to learn and adopt practical solutions to climate change.

Mr. David Watene, while representing PS Higher Education, also took the opportunity to appreciate UoN for contributing to the efforts to mitigate  climate change.

 The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change.