Vanessa Nakate, climate justice activist, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, and founder of the Africa-based Rise Up Climate Movement and co-founder of the Tard Foundation, has been awarded an honorary degree by the University of Edinburgh.
The nomination, from Edinburgh Futures Institute, was prompted in recognition of her achievements as an activist in climate justice and as an advocate for promoting the education of girls.
Ms Nakate was awarded the degree of Doctor of Science in Social Science at a ceremony on 27 November, joining other Edinburgh Futures Institute graduates to accept their awards in the historic McEwan Hall.
“I am still processing the fact that I have received an honorary degree. I am very honoured and truly humbled to receive this prestigious award from the University of Edinburgh. It represents the collective effort of those who have supported me to amplify the devastating impacts of climate change to vulnerable communities. I appreciate the responsibility that comes with such an honour – to advance global transformation that resonates with justice, sustainability and hope for all.”
– Vanessa Nakate
Vanessa Nakate is a climate justice activist from Uganda and founder of the Green Schools Project. She began striking for the climate in her hometown of Kampala in January 2019, after witnessing droughts and flooding devastating communities in Uganda.
She now campaigns internationally to highlight the impacts of climate change already playing out in Africa, addressing world leaders at global climate summits and promoting key climate solutions such as educating girls.
In 2020 Nakate rose to further prominence when she was cropped out of a news photo in which she appeared alongside Greta Thunberg and other white climate activists, which saw her respond that the news outlet “didn’t just erase a photo, you erased a continent”.
In 2021 Nakate wrote the book A Bigger Picture: My Fight to Bring a New African Voice to the Climate Crisis, providing a vital perspective on the climate crisis and an incisive manifesto for change. In the same year, Nakate appeared on the cover of TIME magazine.
Nakate has been a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2022, a role in which she sees it as her responsibility to bring the voices of children and marginalised people into conversations where they were previously excluded.
Professor Kev Dhaliwal, Interim Director of Edinburgh Futures Institute gave the laureation at the winter graduation ceremony in Edinburgh, saying:
‘It is with great admiration and respect that we are celebrating an individual who has become a beacon of hope, a relentless voice for justice, and a symbol of determination in the face of one of the most pressing issues of our time. I am delighted to honour Vanessa Nakate, a trailblazing youth climate activist and environmental advocate whose dedication has inspired millions and whose impact will be felt for generations to come.‘
Ms Nakate spoke at an Edinburgh Futures Institute event in 2022 – and contributed to the collaborative report from EFI, Data for Children Collaborative and UNICEF, The Coldest Year of the Rest of Their Lives. This significant report published in 2022 urged for immediate climate action to protect children from heatwaves and received global attention, pointing out that by 2050 virtually every child on the planet will face more frequent and deadly heatwaves.
Further information
The Coldest Year of the Rest of Their Lives – read the report
The Future of Climate Justice: Actions that Change Systems – watch the recording
