By zainab.joaque@awokonewspaper.sl
Freetown, SIERRA LEONE – As the morning sun burned off the Atlantic haze, C40 Cities Executive Director Mark Watts stood in Freetown’s bustling city center, marveling at how this West African capital is punching far above its weight in the global climate fight.
“This city is proving you don’t need deep pockets to drive deep change,” Watts told journalists during his April 2-5 visit, praising Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr’s “extraordinary leadership” that has made Freetown a model for cities worldwide.
Watts revealed striking context about C40’s elite network:
- Only 100 of the world’s most influential cities qualify for membership
- These urban powerhouses generate 25% of global GDP
- Freetown stands out despite having just a fraction of their budgets
“While Phoenix and Johannesburg watch Freetown’s Tree Town initiative for inspiration, we’re now bringing two transformative projects here,” Watts announced to applause.
The visiting climate leader unveiled:
1️ African Cities for Clean Air Program – A network of low-cost pollution sensors to identify and tackle Freetown’s dirtiest air hotspots
2️ $100,000 Heat Resilience Grant – From the Rockefeller Foundation to:
- Merge climate and health data systems
- Train communities on extreme heat survival
- Forge unprecedented inter-agency cooperation
“These investments recognize Freetown’s unique combination of grassroots innovation and data-driven governance,” Watts emphasized.
Drawing parallels with global successes, Watts highlighted:
- Jakarta’s 92% public transport coverage
- Mumbai’s all-electric bus fleet by 2027
- Freetown’s community-led reforestation
“Great ideas spread like wildfire through our network,” he said. “Freetown’s approach – blending traditional knowledge with modern tools – is now being replicated from South Africa to Arizona.”
With national governments often moving slowly, Watts argued cities are climate action’s frontline:
- Control critical systems like transport and waste
- Closest to citizens’ daily struggles
- Can implement solutions in months, not years
“The climate crisis hits urban areas first and hardest,” Watts noted. “But as Freetown shows, that’s where the most creative solutions emerge.”
As Watts concluded his first Freetown visit, his message carried urgent optimism: “The 2020s will define humanity’s trajectory. Through C40, Freetown’s local actions are creating global ripples when we need them most.”
With critical climate talks coming in Rio, Freetown’s story – of turning constraints into creative solutions – offers a powerful blueprint for cities worldwide. The question now: how many will follow Freetown’s lead before the clock runs out? ZIJ/3/4/2025
