Joshua Amponsem

Joshua Amponsem, named one of the 100 most influential young people in Africa, is a climate visionary and strategist. He is currently a Co-Director of the Youth Climate Justice Fund. In this role, he leads efforts to shift climate philanthropy toward youth-led and locally driven organizations, ensuring that funding reaches those most impacted by the climate crisis. Previously, Amponsem served as the Climate Lead at the Office of the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, where he played a key role in advancing youth leadership in regional and inter-governmental climate policies.

He founded the Green Africa Youth Organization, the largest youth-led climate and environmental organization in Africa, and a 2024 Earthshot prize winner. Amponsem is a Bloomberg Green Champion, was named World Climate Ambassador, and a Plastic Action Champion by the World Economic Forum. He holds key advisory positions including serving on the Vision Council for TED Countdown, and an Advisor to the Urban Movement Innovation Fund, Gamma Energie, and Climate Resilience for All. He has also contributed to high-impact global initiatives, including being a Fellow at the Global Center on Adaptation and SilverLining. He led the design of the Africa Climate Innovation Challenge, and contributed to the design and delivery of the Afri-Plastics Challenge, as well as, the first-ever UN youth climate summit, and the International Renewable Energy Agency’s Youth Forum.