Etinosa Igunbor: Global leader bridging national environmental action with international climate advocacy

In the fight against climate change and environmental degradation, Etinosa Igunbor has emerged as a globally recognised leader, driving innovative solutions and fostering critical collaborations between local environmental initiatives and international policymaking bodies. With an impressive record of advocacy, policy influence, and internationally recognised environmental leadership, Igunbor stands at the forefront of the global climate movement.

A core pillar of Igunbor’s impact lies in his leadership within Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL), one of the world’s largest climate advocacy organisations, with over 200,000 volunteers across six continents. As a Climate Lobbyist, Igunbor has directly lobbied U.S. Representatives and Senators at Capitol Hill in Washington D.C., advocating for transformative environmental legislation such as the Carbon Fee and Dividend Act—a policy designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by pricing carbon—and the Seedlings for Sustainable Habitat Restoration Act, which promotes large-scale reforestation and habitat rehabilitation. His work has helped shape critical conversations on climate policy, building bipartisan support for sustainable solutions addressing carbon emissions and ecological restoration.

His collaborative efforts with legislative assistants, environmental policy advisers, and Congressional offices underscore his ability to influence legislative action at the highest levels, while ensuring that science-based policies are integrated into national climate strategies.

Igunbor’s impact transcends borders. His selection as a Youth Delegate to the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) in Nairobi, Kenya, highlights his position as a recognised global voice for climate action. At UNEA-6, he engaged directly with Member State delegations, contributing to the development and negotiation of over 21 draft resolutions, ensuring that youth-driven environmental priorities were effectively represented.

Further cementing his global leadership, Igunbor was selected as one of only 30 young environmental experts globally to draft the Global Youth Declaration on Environment. This pivotal document, presented to the United Nations Environment Programme’s Executive Director, articulates the collective vision of the next generation of environmental leaders, with a strong emphasis on climate justice, biodiversity conservation, and equitable adaptation policies. His contributions to this internationally recognised document demonstrate his ability to convene, represent, and advance a global environmental agenda.

Etinosa’s groundbreaking work in wetland restoration has further solidified his standing as a distinguished environmental expert. His innovative research applying remote sensing technologies for wetland conservation has earned him the prestigious 2025 Jon Kulser Award from the National Association of Wetland Managers (NAWM), recognising his pioneering contributions to wetland monitoring, ecological restoration, and climate resilience strategies. This recognition is just one of the many honours that mark his exceptional contributions to the field of environmental management, adding to his extensive record of awards, scholarships, and distinctions from leading environmental organisations, research institutions, and governmental bodies.

Beyond awards and presentations, Igunbor’s influence is defined by his ability to translate complex scientific research into actionable policies and scalable environmental programmes. From his early career as a State forest officer in Nigeria to his current role as a global environmental advocate, Igunbor has consistently demonstrated the extraordinary ability to drive policy change while fostering grassroots engagement.

As a bridge between local realities and global policy ambitions, Etinosa Igunbor is not only a citizen climate champion but also a symbol of hope and action in the face of the climate crisis. His relentless commitment, strategic advocacy, and collaborative spirit make him a pivotal voice in the global environmental movement—a reminder that effective change begins when local voices are amplified on the global stage.