CLIMATE ACTION CHAMPIONS DRIVE CONSERVATION EFFORTS ACROSS ADJUMANI

Climate Action Champions during a community dialogue in Adjumani District.

By Dramadri Federick

Arua City

The formation of Climate Action Champions (CAC) by Friends of Zoka is emerging as a powerful community-led initiative in the fight against environmental degradation across Adjumani District, with local leaders and environmental stakeholders reporting a noticeable reduction in destructive practices that have threatened the district’s natural ecosystems for years.

Environmental stakeholders say that since the initiative was launched in 2025, incidents of illegal logging, commercial charcoal burning, bush burning, wetland encroachment, and indiscriminate tree cutting have significantly declined in many parts of the district. They attribute this progress to continuous community sensitization, local advocacy, and practical environmental conservation activities carried out by trained Climate Action Champions.

The initiative is also contributing to the gradual restoration of degraded landscapes through increased tree planting, protection of natural forests, promotion of alternative energy technologies, and stronger community participation in environmental governance.

Beatrice Kojoki, one of the Climate Action Champions, says the team has been mobilizing community members to attend environmental awareness meetings and participate in sustainable natural resource management activities. She explains that the knowledge and practical skills acquired through specialized training have empowered the champions to educate communities and influence positive behavioural change.

“It has helped a lot. If you take illegal charcoal burning, it used to be a major activity in Adjumani District, but through the empowerment and interventions we have carried out, people have reduced those massive illegal charcoal burning activities, bush burning, and tree cutting for logs. We also educate communities on alternative energy sources,” Kojoki explained.

According to Kojoki, the champions regularly organize village dialogues, conduct household visits, and work closely with local leaders to encourage communities to protect forests, wetlands, and other environmentally sensitive areas.

Samuel Peter Iya, the Climate Action Champion for Pachara Sub-county, says their role goes beyond creating awareness about the dangers of environmental destruction. He explains that the team also equips communities with practical and affordable solutions that reduce dependence on forest resources while improving household livelihoods.

Iya says the champions educate residents on the dangers of bush burning, free-ranging livestock that destroy vegetation, deforestation, wetland degradation, and illegal human settlements in protected areas. They also demonstrate environmentally friendly technologies that reduce the demand for firewood and charcoal.

“We were trained on how to construct energy-saving stoves that do not consume a lot of firewood or charcoal, and this helps minimize the rate of forest destruction,” Iya added.