UCT climate scientist on 2025 Forbes Sustainability Leaders list

Dr Romaric C Odoulami, a researcher with the African Climate and Development Initiative (ACDI) at the University of Cape Town (UCT), has been named among the 2025 Forbes Sustainability Leaders. The annual list profiles 50 people around the world who are driving practical and influential responses to the climate crisis.

This recognition comes at a moment when the consequences of climate change are becoming increasingly stark: from severe heatwaves to rising sea levels. While political uncertainty and misinformation continue to slow progress in some quarters, researchers, entrepreneurs, and community leaders are developing solutions that are already reshaping economies and societies.

Dr Odoulami, who was born in Benin, specialises in climate intervention research, focusing on the complex and highly controversial field of solar radiation modification (SRM). He leads a continent-wide team of scientists assessing how SRM techniques – such as reflecting a small portion of sunlight back into space – could influence Africa’s weather and climate systems. This initiative is the most extensive of its kind in the Global South.

“Being listed by Forbes as a sustainable leader reflects not only my personal achievement, but the collective efforts of colleagues and collaborators.”

His research, supported by the Simons Foundation International, uses computer models to investigate both the potential cooling benefits and the risks, such as possible disruption to rainfall patterns that could undermine food security in many parts of the world.

“Africa is facing the harshest consequences of global warming despite the continent’s insignificant contribution to it. It is, therefore, crucial for Africa, together with the rest of the Global South, to lead the global debate on any climate intervention techniques. And this can’t be possible without research,” explained Odoulami.

Strengthening research collaboration and African leadership

Beyond his scientific work, Odoulami is committed to building African capacity in climate research. In May 2025, he joined the African Climate Intervention Research Hub (ACIRH), a collaborative platform that brings together researchers to share expertise and strengthen the continent’s voice in global climate discussions.

“The ACIRH aims to establish a community of African SRM experts who can confidently voice Africa’s perspectives in the global SRM arena. And this can only be achieved through research and capacity building, as well as the training of the next generation of African climate scientists. I’m humbled to contribute to this initiative, led by my colleague, Dr Chris Lennard from UCT,” Odoulami said.

Being named to the Forbes list highlights both Odoulami’s individual contribution and the broader importance of African-led climate science. His work demonstrates how research carried out on the continent can inform global debates on climate interventions while ensuring African priorities remain central to the conversation.

“Being listed by Forbes as a sustainable leader reflects not only my personal achievement, but the collective efforts of colleagues and collaborators who are working tirelessly to ensure that African perspectives are well represented in the global climate intervention discourse.”