Meet the climate expert guiding women in their careers
What life and career advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
This is the main question that Uzoamaka (Uzo) Nwamarah, Imperial alumnus and Climate Change Adviser at the Commonwealth Secretariat, answered during her keynote speech on the 7 March at Imperial, as part of the university’s Women at Imperial Week.
Uzo has around two decades of experience working in the sustainable development field and her talk provided practical insights and tools on navigating career transitions at every level based on her own experience.
“My talk merged my work as a climate change adviser with my personal career journey,” she said. “It is almost like a letter to my 18-year-old self on how to use your support systems and tools to guide your career path.”
The talk took place the day before International Women’s Day and this year’s theme is ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress’. Uzo’s talk complements the theme and highlights why more needs to be done to ensure further support and advancement for women in the workplace.
“There’s been a lot of progress being made in terms of inclusivity and working together with women, young people and people of colour but how can we accelerate this progress further, especially as women are pivotal for our sustainable economic development.”
Supporting women
Women’s progress in the workplace
Despite some improvements being made in women’s progression and experience in the workplace, structural barriers still exist for many. A 2023 Trades Union Congress report found that women work for free for nearly two months a year, revealing a 15 per cent gender pay gap that widens further after women have children. Racial barriers also stop some women reaching their potential. A 2021 academic study explored how Black women in the workplace face a ‘concrete ceiling’ when it comes to career progression.
As a leader I enjoy seeing my team progress and flourish.
Facing and overcoming barriers as a Black woman is something that Uzo can relate to. “Whenever issues come up, I chose to address the situation by initiating one-on-one conversations with relevant stakeholders to air concerns and ensure contributions towards solutions are recognized and valued.
Speaking at a COP28 Commonwealth YOUNGO Side Event - Technical discussion on the availability of climate finance for youth
Speaking at a COP28 Commonwealth YOUNGO Side Event - Technical discussion on the availability of climate finance for youth
"Additionally, I seek opportunities to collaborate with supportive colleagues who amplified my voice in meetings and discussions. Through perseverance and strategic advocacy for myself and others facing similar challenges, I've been able to overcome barriers and contribute meaningfully to my organization's success."
“As a leader I enjoy seeing my team progress and flourish. I think giving people that extra boost and confidence is important.”
Tackling climate change
Extra boost
That extra boost is a key message she left her audience with from her talk during Women at Imperial Week along with women championing and supporting themselves.
“As women we are great at supporting our wider network – teammates, children, friends and family – but we need to also support ourselves and stand strongly in that. I want women to count, bet, believe and protect themselves in the same way we do for others.”
Speaking at the Thirteenth Commonwealth Women’s Affairs Ministers Meeting (13WAMM)
Speaking at the Thirteenth Commonwealth Women’s Affairs Ministers Meeting (13WAMM)
Uzo shared a story from a women's network event that resonated deeply with her. A lady had recounted on how her boss had offered her a team lead position which required the coordination of early morning stand-up meetings. Despite considering the role, she ultimately turned it down. The reason which she had kept to herself, was that the timing of the early morning meetings clashed with her responsibility of taking her daughter to school. A male colleague accepted the role and promptly changed the meeting time to accommodate his morning schedule, which included the school run.
Recalling the story she said: “It really struck me when I heard about this. It shows why women should never disqualify themselves even before giving things a go. And it also highlights the need to give yourself a chance.”
Climate role
It is a mantra that Uzo has employed in her own career and current role as Climate Change Advisor at the Commonwealth Secretariat. Her role involves providing strategic leadership and technical expertise for the implementation of the Commonwealth Climate Change Programme. The programme provides member countries with measures and support for mitigating and adapting to climate change.
You can’t undermine future generations’ abilities to meet their own needs because you’re too focused on your own.
It was a lecture on sustainable development while at university that inspired her to pursue a career in the climate action space:
“Growing up in Nigeria the thinking was to be successful you must work in the oil and gas industries because they are the prominent sources of income.
On the occasion of the launch of the ‘Availability of Climate Finance for Youth Report’ a collaboration of the Commonwealth Secretariat and YOUNGO (Official Children and Youth Constituency of the UNFCCC). Pictured in the centre of the group are The Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland, KC, Commonwealth Secretary General and Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
On the occasion of the launch of the ‘Availability of Climate Finance for Youth Report’ a collaboration of the Commonwealth Secretariat and YOUNGO (Official Children and Youth Constituency of the UNFCCC). Pictured in the centre of the group are The Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland, KC, Commonwealth Secretary General and Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
“It was during my environmental geology degree and learning about sustainability that it hit me that we had to leave the Earth in a good or even better position than we found it. You can’t undermine future generations’ abilities to meet their own needs because you’re too focused on your own.”
Her thinking was further cemented when she visited oil rigs as part of her industrial placement and saw first-hand the environmental impact of their work.
“The level of pollution was unbelievable and the communities that were living nearby were deeply affected,” she says. “Many of them were fisherman and the water was so polluted it was like moving in oil. How were they meant to support themselves and their wider communities?”
Inclusivity in climate action
Her degree in MSc Environmental Technology which she gained at Imperial in 2005 helped Uzo think about ways in which she can influence policy on climate action such as adopting clean technologies. However, one of the challenges is ensuring that underrepresented groups or those who suffer the most because of climate change are included in the conversations and actions. It is something Uzo advocates and does in her role.
“You must be very intentional in terms of inclusivity in this space. One of the questions I ask my team and others that are setting up projects is who are the decision makers along with beneficiaries, and have you made sure that you have included everyone?”
Women are half of the world’s population and if we don’t tap into that amount of wisdom you end up with a half thought through response to a problem (climate change) we’re trying to solve.
Women are half of the world’s population and if we don’t tap into that amount of wisdom you end up with a half thought through response to a problem (climate change) we’re trying to solve.” Based on her experience, Uzo and team have put together a Best Practice Guide for Gender Integration in Nationally Determining Contributions (NDCs also known as national climate plans).
The best practice guide succinctly maps out a timeline of tangible action points across thematic areas which commonwealth countries can undertake to enhance gender integration in the run up to the 2025 NDC update cycle. [The guide] is about showing best practice in different areas such as policy integration, capacity building, financing, institutional coordination and stakeholder engagement because you have to show awareness, equip people and highlight the benefits of why we need to do this.”
Working and engaging with young people on climate action is also an important part of Uzo’s work. At last year’s UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai (COP28), Uzo worked with several youth networks such as the Commonwealth Youth Climate Change Network – which aims to support young people in their work to address climate change along with amplifying their voice.
Keeping optimistic
Uzo is passionate about working in the climate action space but how does she keep her optimism in an area where often the news is worrying or devastating?
It’s remarkable [Mia Mottely] is able to articulate from a holistic point of view why we need to act from an economic and humanitarian level.
“I think it’s about sharing positive stories, what is working, and looking at things in compartments. I think about what I can do with the resources I have and taking it step by step. There has been progress, but can this be accelerated further? Emphatically yes. If you allow yourself to be overwhelmed, you end up throwing your hands up in the air and then nothing gets done. We must be optimistic.”
Seeing others make change in the climate action space also helps Uzo remain positive. She points to Mia Mottely, Prime Minister of Barbados, who is one of the world’s most vocal advocates for wealthier and polluting nations to financially support countries who experience the worst effects of climate change.
“I admire her advocacy, bravery and the way she simplifies why we need to act now. When you work in this space it can sometimes feel like business as usual – another COP, negotiation, project, book – but it’s people’s lives. It’s remarkable how she’s able to articulate from a holistic point of view why we need to act from an economic and humanitarian level.”
Today and tomorrow
Lifelong connections
Uzo’s career and work has taken her around the world, but she remains connected to Imperial and has used the learnings from her degree in her career journey.
“I still go through my notes from my master’s to help me with my job on a practical level and the name Imperial has made waves for me. I remember at a previous organisation I worked at, someone from HR was speaking with a recruiter and said we usually take graduates from my course – I thought ‘wow!’”
My role at Imperial exposes me to other aspects of the university and I learn more about what leadership is thinking.
Uzo continues to work closely with Imperial and is an active part of its community. She consulted on the recently launched institutional Strategy as part of her role on Imperial’s court, reviewed the university’s charter which went to the King – an experience she describes as a ‘honour’ – and was invited as a judge for this year’s Alumni Awards.
“My role at Imperial exposes me to other aspects of the university and I learn more about what leadership is thinking. It’s a privilege to give back my time and services to the university, as well as engage with current students – it’s a real gift to me.”
Honest advice
Looking back and reflecting on her career and life experiences, what advice would she give her 18-year-old self? Taking a deep breath, she says:
“Honestly, reach out and engage more with people. There’s more to university life than your course so take full advantage of the opportunities presented within the wider university ecosystem. Join clubs, work with different lecturers and volunteer your time across the various institute, labs and innovation centres, so you’re building your skills and developing relationships.
"I know you’re thinking about your future and passing exams, but the time goes quickly so relax more. Seek out those connections that challenge and inspire you, for in them lies the foundation for a future rich with potential and possibility.”
