Rosemary Nwakaego Emmanuel, an Ebonyi-born businesswoman, has urged world leaders to move beyond climate declarations and translate global commitments into concrete solutions for communities most affected by climate change.
Emmanuel, who recently returned from the 2026 United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, said the discussions at the global gathering highlighted the urgent need for governments and development institutions to turn climate pledges into measurable action.
She said she listened to Presidents, Prime Ministers, Governors, Mayors, development finance institutions and climate leaders discuss the next phase of the global climate agenda.
According to Emmanuel, the discussions reinforced the need for a shift from promises to implementation, particularly as the effects of climate change become more visible and disruptive.
“One thing became very clear to me: the climate conversation has moved beyond promises. The world is asking for action that people can actually feel,” she said.
Emmanuel identified climate finance, adaptation, climate justice, clean energy, resilience and local implementation as some of the key issues shaping the global climate conversation.
She said climate finance must become faster, easier to access and more responsive to the needs of vulnerable communities as the impacts of climate change intensify.
The businesswoman also highlighted the concerns of Small Island Developing States over climate justice, arguing that their demands should be viewed through the lens of fairness rather than charity.
She noted that the global conversation around clean energy was also evolving, with the issue increasingly connected not only to emissions reduction but also to energy security, economic opportunity, resilience and sustainable development.
Emmanuel further stressed the growing role of cities and subnational governments in climate action, noting that they operate closer to communities directly affected by climate-related challenges.
“For me, one message stood out strongly: the world does not need more declarations without delivery,” she said.
With attention now turning towards COP31, Emmanuel said the focus should be on converting commitments made at international forums into practical interventions capable of producing measurable improvements in people’s lives.
She called for improved access to climate finance, greater investment in adaptation, stronger community resilience, increased support for vulnerable countries, practical solutions and faster implementation.
According to her, the credibility of future climate commitments would increasingly depend on whether they translate into tangible outcomes for communities.
“As we move towards COP31, success should be measured not only by the ambition of our commitments but also by how effectively they translate into more accessible climate finance, greater investment in adaptation, stronger communities, stronger support for vulnerable countries, practical solutions, faster implementation and measurable results,” she said.
She added: “The conversations matter, but the real work begins when commitments leave conference rooms and start to make a difference in people’s lives.”
Emmanuel urged stakeholders preparing for COP31 to ensure that the voices, realities and needs of communities most exposed to climate change remain central to the global climate agenda.
