By Alusine Sesay
Mark Watts, Executive Director of C40 Cities, has unveiled two significant projects for Freetown, Sierra Leone, aimed at addressing air pollution and strengthening the city’s resilience to extreme heat. The announcement was made during his four-day visit to Freetown from April 1 to April 4, 2025, as he assessed groundbreaking climate initiatives led by Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr OBE, Mayor of Freetown and Co-Chair of C40 Cities.
Projects to Combat Air Pollution and Extreme Heat
The first initiative focuses on air quality improvement, leveraging low-cost air pollution sensors deployed across Freetown. According to Watts, the sensors will collect vital data to identify pollution hotspots and develop targeted solutions, ensuring cleaner air for residents.
The second project, funded by a $100,000 grant from the Rockefeller Foundation, is designed to enhance Freetown’s heat health resilience. This initiative integrates health data, trains communities on adaptive measures for extreme heat, and fosters collaboration across various agencies to combat the impacts of rising temperatures.
Commendation for Leadership
Mark Watts highlighted the competitive nature of securing these projects and praised Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr for her remarkable leadership. He noted that C40 Cities provides a platform for cities worldwide to collaborate, improve infrastructure and services, and advocate collectively on international stages.
Mayor Aki-Sawyerr emphasized the collaborative efforts of C40 members to tackle climate change through local action. She underscored Freetown’s access to critical climate finance through the network and celebrated the progress made, including the cable car project, which is expected to cut travel time by 50% and boost economic productivity.
About C40 Cities
C40 Cities is a global network of nearly 100 cities dedicated to fighting the climate crisis through inclusive, science-driven strategies. Co-Chaired by the Mayor of Freetown (Global South) and the Mayor of London (Global North), the network aims to halve emissions by 2030 while building resilient communities. Notably, two-thirds of C40’s funding supports interventions in the Global South.
These initiatives underline Freetown’s growing influence in global climate leadership and its commitment to creating a sustainable future for its residents.