In Episode #3 of The Power Shift: Decolonising Development, Amiera Sawas, Chief Research and Engagement Officer of Climate Outreach discusses links between racism, orientalism and coloniality in the environmental and climate change sector. Amiera describes how people of colour are commonly excluded from leadership roles and how the priorities of communities at the ‘front line’ of the climate crisis are poorly represented. She makes important connections between personal behaviour, organisational performance and limited climate mitigation in the worst affected communities. Amiera discusses COP27, how people of colour experienced the event - and much more. 

Amiera Sawas is the Chief Research and Engagement Officer of Climate Outreach. She has diverse experience in climate, environment and development research and programming work, across the private, non-governmental and academic sectors. Amiera has worked in South Asia, the Middle East and Eastern Africa. She prioritises feminist leadership qualities and community engagement for climate action. Amiera is passionate about setting an inclusive vision for our collective future.

If you’re interested to find out more about Amiera’s work, take a look here: LinkedIn, Twitter @amiera_tales, Climate Outreach or at her Published research

Recommended resources: Me and White Supremacy (Layla F Saad)