We’re facing a climate emergency, and the need for urgent, effective action has never been greater. While the scale of the challenge is enormous, there are countless inspiring individuals around the world who are showing us that solutions are not only possible, but already in motion.
The Impact Makers campaign celebrates these individuals. It highlights the people who are making real, measurable changes to our world — often against significant odds. The work they do, whether it’s transforming waste into valuable resources, empowering young people, or restoring ecosystems, provides much-needed hope and direction in the fight for a sustainable future.
More than just a recognition, the Impact Makers initiative is about amplifying these leaders’ work, ensuring that their solutions gain the visibility, resources, and support needed to scale. It connects these changemakers across geographies and sectors, demonstrating that no matter where you are or what your focus is, everyone can contribute to the fight against climate change.
The process of selection
The Impact Makers campaign invites individuals to be nominated through social media by sharing their stories with the hashtag #COP30ImpactMakers. Nominations are reviewed by a steering committee made up of experts from international research institutes, climate resilience networks, social impact organisations, and communications platforms.
The selection process focuses on identifying individuals whose initiatives showcase innovation, resourcefulness, and the ability to communicate effectively. Additionally, the chosen Impact Makers must demonstrate impact and scalability, ensuring that their work can inspire and be replicated by others in the fight against climate change.
Each year, up to 50 Impact Makers will be selected on a rolling basis and profiled at key events like New York Climate Week and COP30, as well as featured online. This not only recognises their efforts but also amplifies their voices, helping to bring their solutions to a wider audience.
Bios of selected Impact Makers
Here are just a few of the many individuals making a real difference through their innovative work:
1. Aniella Niyondiko – Burundi
Aniella Niyondiko is a United Nations Climate Change COP Impact Maker and the Managing Director of AHEZA IWACU, a leading waste management and recycling company in Burundi transforming domestic waste into organic fertiliser and supporting circular economy solutions.
2. Elizabeth Markevitch - Germany
Elizabeth Markevitch is a United Nations Climate Change COP Impact Maker and the Founder and CEO of ikonoTV, a groundbreaking streaming platform that transforms art into a universal language, offering cinematic, calming experiences designed to heal and inspire.
3. Maha Sheikh - Pakistan
Maha Sheikh is a United Nations Climate Change COP Impact Maker and an architect and researcher based in Karachi, Pakistan, specializing in climate-adaptive, socially sustainable architecture.
4. Bruno Ferreira - Bolivia
Bruno Ferreira is a United Nations Climate Change COP Impact Maker and the co-founder, Project Manager, and Quality & Innocuity Management Director at the Food Bank of Bolivia, where he leads sustainable food production initiatives.
5. Andrea Gori - Italy
Andrea Gori is an entrepreneur & global expert in sustainability, green tech, and energy transition. He is the founder & "Chief Earth Officer" (i.e. a CEO on a mission for our planet) of illuminem, and prof. of Greentech at HEC Paris (see full program).
6. Kristy Drutman - USA
Kristy Drutman is a United Nations Climate Change COP Impact Maker and the Co-CEO of Green Jobs Board and the founder of Browngirl Green, a platform dedicated to advancing diversity and inclusion in environmentalism.
7. Buğra Avcı - Turkey
Buğra Avcı is a United Nations Climate Change COP Impact Maker and an Executive Committee Member at Habitat Derneği, where he leads partnerships, project development, and sustainable growth initiatives.
8. Stutilina Pal - India
Stutilina Pal is a United Nations Climate Change COP Impact Maker and the Programme Director at SRIJAN, leading initiatives on Integrated Natural Resource Management (INRM), gender equity, and climate resilience in rural development.
9. Amar Baatartsogt - Mongolia
Amar Baatartsogt is a United Nations Climate Change COP Impact Maker and the Co-Founder and COO of URECA, a climate tech company focused on scalable emissions reduction projects, including the flagship Coal-to-Solar initiative in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
10. Viviane Bondoma - Cameroon
Viviane Bondoma is a United Nations Climate Change COP Impact Maker and the Founder of Résidence Ukuzola, a social impact initiative supporting young entrepreneurs from the Global South in creating sustainable businesses.
Closing remarks
These individuals represent just a small fraction of the extraordinary efforts underway around the globe. From tackling waste to restoring ecosystems, from advancing clean energy to empowering vulnerable communities, they are proving that climate action is not just possible but happening right now.
The Impact Makers campaign offers an invaluable opportunity to learn from these leaders, whose actions highlight both the challenges and the immense potential of scaling climate solutions. Their work shows us that no single approach will solve the crisis; instead, we need diverse, localised, and systemic solutions that can work together to drive global change.
For those of us involved in the world of sustainability and technology, these changemakers provide powerful examples of what’s possible when innovation, determination, and community come together. Through initiatives like this, we can amplify their efforts, support their growth, and ultimately accelerate the much-needed progress towards a sustainable future.
Thank you to all the Impact Makers, whose work is paving the way for a better world for us all.
