Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2) was extremely positive and solution-focused, UK Special Representative for Climate, Rachel Kyte said.
The ACS2 was held between September 8 and 10, 2025 in Addis Ababa, bringing together various relevant stakes mainly from the continent.
Kyte said "I’ve attended meetings on growing carbon markets, helping African countries benefit from their natural capacity to sequester carbon. There’s great potential to expand carbon markets on a large scale."
Following reductions in the global climate funding, the ACS2 was thought to focus on mobilising climate finance, which according to Kyte, was rewarding.
Africa needs investment, rules that support climate resilience, and partnerships that go beyond aid. At this second summit, the focus is on mobilising finance, helping African countries access it, and showing international investors the opportunities here. "For us, it’s about solidarity, joint climate management, and investment preparation," she said.
On the role of UK in the global climate changr mitigation efforts, she said the UK's first responsibility is to manage own emissions.
The UK is committed to net zero, with a clean electricity system by 2030, moving from coal to gas to renewables over the past 20 years. The. country's future energy mix will include some gas and nuclear but will be predominantly renewable, she mentioned.
The UK government also is helping other countries manage their transitions through various programs including sharing experience, attracting private investment from London’s financial sector into countries such as those in Africa.
The UK has historically focused on clean energy infrastructure, forest protection and investing in sustainable agriculture to maintain and grow yields despite climate change, and advancing clean cooking across East Africa, including Ethiopia, she noted.
