Nairobi: More than 700 young people from diverse faith backgrounds in Kenya have pledged to reduce their carbon footprint and promote renewable energy following a two-day convention on peace and ecology.
The forum, held at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa in Nairobi from September 19 to 20, brought together students, environmental activists, and representatives of faith-based and community organizations.
Participants signed a joint statement committing to adopt sustainable practices, minimize waste, and support clean energy solutions in their schools, institutions, and communities.
The statement also emphasized the need to raise awareness on environmental justice, particularly for vulnerable groups such as women, youth, and marginalized communities. The commitments were aligned with the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals on energy, climate action, and life on land.
Organized by the Laudato Si’ Movement, the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Franciscans Africa, and partner institutions, the gathering concluded with 39 organizations and institutions endorsing the pledge.
Among the signatories were universities, youth movements, and religious groups including Christian, Muslim, Hindu, and Baha’i representatives.
The Nairobi meeting comes amid growing momentum across Africa for faith-based climate action. Young people and religious leaders have increasingly joined global calls for climate justice, a just energy transition, and stronger commitments to renewable energy. Recent interfaith marches and faith-based climate statements have amplified concerns about the social and ethical dimensions of environmental challenges, particularly around the inclusion of local communities in carbon markets and the protection of vulnerable populations.
Organizers said the youth pledges mark a significant step in uniting Kenya’s religious communities to act on the climate crisis, but stressed that the real test will be in translating commitments into concrete projects and sustained action.