September 22, 2024 – Mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, has been recognized in Forbes’ first-ever list of 50 Sustainability Leaders.
The list honors individuals across various sectors, from entrepreneurs and scientists to politicians and activists, who are making a significant, tangible impact in the fight against the global climate crisis.
In a social media post, Aki-Sawyerr expressed her gratitude for the recognition.
“I am truly honored to be named in Forbes’ inaugural list of 50 Sustainability Leaders!” she wrote.”
“The Forbes list includes entrepreneurs, scientists, philanthropists, investors, politicians, and activists who are deemed to be leading the charge to combat the climate crisis with real, tangible impact. My huge thanks go to colleagues nationally and internationally and to residents of Freetown who collaborate in the design and implementation of our climate action interventions.”
Since taking office in 2018, Aki-Sawyerr has spearheaded a data-driven, inclusive approach to climate action in Sierra Leone’s capital. Under her leadership, Freetown has set 19 ambitious targets across 11 sectors, including the planting of one million trees, the construction of the country’s first wastewater treatment plant, and the development of a mass transit cable car system.
Looking ahead, the city is committed to planting an additional four million trees by 2028 and has launched innovative financing mechanisms using the voluntary carbon market and private investment to support climate adaptation initiatives.
Aki-Sawyerr has also championed clean cooking solutions, promoting the use of off-grid biogas electrification systems powered by organic waste.
Forbes’ inaugural Sustainability Leaders list features individuals from diverse industries and disciplines who have demonstrated exceptional ambition, innovation, and measurable, scalable impact. The honorees were selected by a panel of distinguished climate experts, including Sylvia Earle, Laurene Powell Jobs, Bill McKibben, Nnimmo Bassey, and Tom Baruch.
This recognition places Aki-Sawyerr alongside notable figures such as Gaurab Chakrabart, CEO and cofounder of Solugen, and Nemonte Nenquimo, cofounder of Amazon Frontlines, a nonprofit organization defending indigenous rights.
The 50 individuals selected for the list are recognized for their commitment to genuine climate action, with no tolerance for “greenwashing.” Forbes praised those making real differences in their fields and leading the way in sustainability efforts globally.
