Government of

National Climate Change Response Strategy Executive Brief

April 2010

3 ‘together we can tackle climate change’ 4 ‘together we can tackle climate change’

6 ‘together we can tackle climate change’ List of Tables and Figures

TABLES Table 1 Annual costs of climate change projects and programmes (2009 estimates)...... 24

FIGURES Figure 1 Temperature trend for Nairobi from 1960-2005...... 9 Figure 2 Rainfall trends in Lamu and Garissa over the past half century...... 9 Figure 3 GHG emissions trend in Kenya...... 14 Figure 4 Proposed climate change governance structure...... 23 Introduction and Overview of the Strategy

Context of the National Climate of the cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Change Response Strategy which endorsed the Strategy. The National Climate Change Response Over 3000 stakeholders were consulted – Strategy (NCCRS), also referred to as the government representatives and agencies, ‘Strategy’, is the culmination of a year-long members of parliament, the private sector, process to develop a comprehensive and faith-based organisations, non-governmental concerted suite of strategies to respond to the organisations (NGOs), development partners, challenges climate change is posing to Kenya’s farmers’ representatives as well as ordinary socioeconomic development. The NCCRS is a Kenyans especially from rural areas who significant step in the recognition that climate represent the most vulnerable to the adverse change is a threat to national development. effects of climate change. It has presented evidence on climate change and associated impacts. In addition, it has proposed a concerted programme of activities Overview of the National Climate and actions to combat such impacts and an enabling implementation framework. Change Response Strategy The resultant National Climate Change Response Strategy (NCCRS) is divided into The formulation process ten chapters. The Strategy has outlined The NCCRS was developed in a participatory the evidence of climate change (in terms of manner. The process involved a total of thirteen temperature and rainfall variation) in Kenya, workshops. The first national workshop was climate change impacts on the country and used to initiate the process, and was followed recommended actions that the country needs by nine regional consultative workshops, one to take to reduce these impacts as well as take in each of the eight provinces of Kenya, except advantage of the beneficial effects of climate for Rift Valley Province where two workshops change. These actions range from adaptation were held because of the province’s expansive and mitigation measures in key sectors, to nature. The second national workshop was necessary policy, legislative and institutional a consensus workshop where stakeholders adjustments, to ways of enhancing reviewed the contents of the draft NCCRS climate change awareness, education and document to verify that it had captured all or communication in the country, to necessary most of the aspirations they had articulated capacity building requirements, and to ways of during the regional consultative workshops. enhancing research and development as well In addition, one consultative workshop with as technology development and transfer in members of parliament was held as well as a areas that respond to climate change, among crucial consultative meeting with members many others.

8 ‘together we can tackle climate change’ 1. Climate Change: A Global Perspective

A synopsis of the global perspective of climate United Nations Conference on Environment change has been provided. The purpose is to and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro, enhance understanding of climate change in and the establishment of the United Nations a global context, and to define key terms and Framework Convention on Climate Change concepts relevant to the understanding of the (UNFCCC). Since then, there have been a problem of climate change. series of Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UNFCCC, which have produced ‘Accords The discussion here focuses on the climate and Protocols’ (i.e. Marrakesh Accords, Kyoto change negotiation process and outcomes, Protocol and the Copenhagen Accord). international agreements and policies, and most importantly the positions Kenya needs Key issues that have continued to shape to adopt in order to maximise benefits. the global climate change regime are The Strategy traces the origin of climate also explained. These include mitigation, change debate starting as an international adaptation, finance, technology development environmental and developmental challenge and transfer, governance as well as the role beginning with the publication of the of land-use and land-use change and forestry Brundtland Report in 1987 through to the (LULUCF) in climate change mitigation formation of the Intergovernmental Panel especially in developing countries. on Climate Change (IPCC) in 1989, the 1992

98 ‘together we can tackle climate change’ 2. Evidence and Impacts of Climate Change in Kenya

2.1 Evidence of Climate Change there is a general positive trend (more ) during September to February. This suggests in Kenya that the “Short Rains” (October-December) The evidence of climate change in Kenya season is extending into what is normally hot is unmistakable. Temperatures have risen and dry period of January and February. throughout the country. Rainfalls have become irregular and unpredictable, and when it Moreover, measured by the volume of rainfalls rains, downpour is more intense. Extreme in a 24 hour period, more intense rainfalls and harsh is now a norm in Kenya. occur, and more frequently, over the coastal More specifically, since the early 1960s, both strip and the northern parts of the country minimum (night time) and maximum (daytime) during September - February. This means temperatures have been on an increasing frequent occurrence of severe in those (warming) trend. The minimum temperature has areas. No significant trends in the 24-hour risen generally by 0.7 – 2.0 oC and the maximum rainfall amounts are observed in other areas of by 0.2 – 1.3 oC, depending on the season and the country. Figure 2 below shows changes in the region. In areas near large bodies, the rainfall patterns in Lamu and Garissa. maximum temperatures have risen much like in other areas but the minimum temperatures have Figure 1: Temperature trend either not changed or become slightly lower. As 2.2 Impacts of Climate Change for Nairobi from 1960 to 2005 an example, the changing temperature trends – increase in both T and on Kenya min for Nairobi are shown in Figure 1. These changing climatic (rainfall and T , but decrease in diurnal max temperature) patterns have had adverse range of temperature (Data and As regards rainfalls, the most visible feature impacts on Kenya’s socioeconomic sectors. figure from the KMD) is the increased variability year to year, and Moreover, current projections indicate that during the year. There is a general decline of such impacts will only worsen in the future Figure 2: Rainfall trends over rainfall in the main rainfall season of March- if the world does not implement measures Lamu and Garissa over the past May (the “Long Rains”). In other words, that result in deep cuts in anthropogenic half century (Data and figure in the Long Rains Season is more Green House Gas (GHG) emissions, which are from the KMD) frequent and prolonged. On the other hand, responsible for climate change.

Figure 1 Figure 2 Key: DJF means December-January-February, while MAM stands for March-April-May

10 ‘together we can tackle climate change’ In Kenya, the adverse impacts of climate l Kenya’s rangelands support millions of change are compounded by local environmental pastoralists and agro-pastoralists who travel degradation (illegal encroachments and long distances in search of pasture and settlements, logging and livestock grazing), water for their cattle. Receding rangelands which have among others, further aggravated threaten the very basis of the livelihood and land degradation. Forest and the way of life of the pastoralists. cover in Kenya for instance, has fallen from 12% in the 1960s to less than 2 % at present. l The Kenyan coastline is characterized by This has considerably affected the ability of a rich diversity, including fish, coral reefs Kenya’s five main Water Towers to act as water and mangrove forests. But the Kenyan catchments for major rivers and lakes, which are coast is one of the most vulnerable to sea the main sources of water for daily consumption level rise in the world. For example, it is in rural and urban areas. estimated that about 17% of Mombasa or 4600 hectares (ha) of land area will be Thus, the impacts of climate change, submerged with a of only 0.3 compounded by local environmental metres. degradation, are profound. In summary, some of the observed as well as projected climate l Kenya is a water-scarce country. The natural change impacts on Kenya include: endowment of renewable freshwater is low, and water resources are unevenly l Kenya has a landmass of about 582,350 distributed in both time and space. Climate km2 of which only 17% is arable while 83% change will worsen this already precarious consists of semi-arid and arid land (ASAL). situation as it affects the main hydrological Due to climate change and other human components: (i) precipitation and (ii) run- factors, desertification, i.e., the extent of off. This will alter the spatial and temporal arid and semi-arid land, is increasing. availability of water resources.

l Kenya’s natural resources, in particular its l Serious have occurred in the last rich flora and fauna are among the country’s 4 consecutive years. Major rivers show most valuable natural assets. Climate severe reduced volumes during droughts, The desolation that often change now threatens this rich biodiversity. and many seasonal ones completely dry characterises dryland areas as a Species loss has been observed, while in up. The consequent crop failures in 2009 result of drought leads to loss some places, the number of indigenous for instance, placed an estimated 10 of livelihoods. Photo courtesy and important species has tremendously million Kenyans or one fourth of the entire of the Noomayianat CBO, 2009 dwindled. population at risk of , hunger and starvation.

l Droughts reduce the production of not only staple food crops such as but also other major crops such as tea, sugarcane and wheat. This increases imports (maize, wheat and sugar) and reduces exports (tea), weakening the country’s balance of payments.

l , cholera, ebola, Lyme disease, plague, tuberculosis, sleeping sickness, yellow fever, and Rift Valley Fever are some of the diseases that are expected to spread as temperatures rise and precipitation beaches could eventually disappear as the sea level rises. Already, hotels along the Kenyan coastline have been forced to construct sea walls to protect against increasingly strong sea tides. All these do and will continue to impact negatively on Kenya’s tourism sector.

l Further, climate change is exacerbating human-wildlife conflicts. Pastoralists in search of pasture and water have encroached into game parks, chasing wildlife away from their natural habitats. Drought has also pushed lions and other wildlife closer to waterholes and vegetation near to human settlements.

l Changes in ocean circulation are predicted Submerged huts in Western patterns change. In addition, during floods, to lead to loss of certain fish populations Kenya. During floods especially diseases such as typhoid, amoeba, cholera, or establishment of new ones. Temperature those related to El-Niño events, and bilharzia reach epidemic levels. Disease change may also result in changes of environmental diseases such as outbreaks will further burden the already upwelling patterns, which might impact on typhoid, amoeba, cholera and stretched public health infrastructure. fish spawning period and success of larvae, bilharzia normally associated thereby altering the entire life cycle and with contaminated water and l Population displacement and migration size of fish population. poor sanitation reach epidemic from climate disaster-prone areas (e.g. levels in such places. drought prone northern Kenya and sea-level l Climate change will also affect Kenya’s Photo by Camco Kenya. rise in the coastal region) are expected energy supply. potential has to increase. It is expected that most of dramatically reduced during the past 20 those on the move will be from rural areas years due to the destruction of water heading towards urban agglomerations catchment areas. Climate change is where assistance, income opportunities likely to worsen the situation as it will and infrastructure may be perceived to be result in prolonged droughts which will more accessible and readily available. This see water levels in the generating dams will create an enormous social, health, recede further. The country currently infrastructural and management challenge relies on hydropower for nearly 70% of its for cities, subjecting them to unplanned electricity. Further, events population growth. such as rainstorms will destroy the energy generation and distribution systems. l Global warming is likely to disrupt and even destroy some of the tourist attractions l Torrential rains accompanied by floods can such as the snow-caps of Mt. Kenya, the also destroy roads, bridges, railway lines and coastal rainforests and fragile marine other transportation and communication ecosystems. Coral reefs are bleaching. infrastructure. For instance, the damage The number of flamingoes in Lake Nakuru caused by the eight-month 1997/1998 is diminishing due to diminishing water El-Niño rains to the country’s transport levels of the lake. The great migration of and telecommunication infrastructure the wildebeest across the Mara River is was estimated at one billion US Dollars. under threat as the river’s flow is reduced. In addition, rising temperatures will cause Along the coastline, some of the popular warping of rail-tracks.

12 ‘together we can tackle climate change’ 3. Strategic Focus

3.1 Importance of the NCCRS to water, energy, forestry, rangelands, health, social and physical infrastructure are prioritized for Kenya quick and immediate action. As the preceding chapter shows, the direct and indirect impacts of climate change are already The vision of the NCCRS is for a prosperous being felt across the country and there is a high and climate change resilient Kenya, possibility of increasingly severe changes in whereas the Mission of the Strategy is to the future unless unprecedented measures are strengthen nationwide focused actions by taken to reduce emissions of Green House Gases ensuring commitment and engagement of (GHGs). Natural disasters associated with climate all stakeholders towards adapting to and variability and change have in the past cost mitigating against climate change. huge losses. For instance, the 1999 and 2000 droughts in Kenya caused damages equivalent 3.2.1 Strategic Objectives to 2.4% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The objectives of the NCCRS are addressed in The Stern Report of 2006 predicts that the cost the first nine chapters of the document and are of could be as high as summarized here as follows:- 7-10% of GDP by 2100, whereas a recent study on the economic impacts of climate change in l enhancing understanding of the global cli- Kenya has estimated that the annual cost of mate change negotiations process, interna- climate change impacts will be in the tune of tional, agreements, policies and processes USD 1 to 3 billion by the year 2030. and most importantly the positions Kenya needs to take in order to maximise beneficial Kenya’s ability to cope with the impacts of climate outcomes of these negotiations, change is compounded by many factors including l assessing the evidence and impacts of cli- poverty, weak institutions, poor infrastructure, mate change in Kenya, inadequate information, poor access to financial resources, low management capabilities, armed l recommending robust adaptation and miti- conflicts due to a scramble for diminishing gation measures needed to minimise risks environmental resources and high interest rates. It associated with climate change while max- is vital that policies and measures for adaptation imising opportunities, to and mitigation against climate change are put l enhancing understanding of climate change in place across all the sectors in order to minimise and its impacts nationally and in local regions, the impending climate change catastrophe. l recommending vulnerability assessment, impact monitoring and capacity building 3.2 Strategic Focus, Vision, framework needs,

Mission and Objectives l recommending research and technological The NCCRS’s primary focus is ensuring adaptation needs and avenues for transferring existing and mitigation measures are integrated technologies, in all government planning, budgeting l providing a conducive and enabling policy, and development objectives. It has called legal and institutional framework to combat for collaborative and joint action with all climate change, and stakeholders (private sector, civil society, NGOs, faith-based organizations, etc) in tackling the l providing a concerted action plan, resource impacts of climate change. The most vulnerable mobilisation plan and robust monitoring and sectors of the economy namely agriculture, evaluation plan. 4. Adaptation and Mitigation Measures

As a response to the challenges posed by natural resource base (soil and water climate change to Kenya, the Strategy has conservation techniques); and research proposed a number of measures meant to curb and dissemination of superior (drought the adverse impacts of climate change on the tolerant, salt-tolerant, pest and disease country (adaptation measures) and to tame resistant) crops. global warming (mitigation measures). l Water: construction of dams and water 4.1 Adaptation pans; protection of water towers, river Adaptation measures include the prevention, banks, and water bodies; de-silting of tolerance or sharing of losses, changes in land riverbeds and dams; municipal water use or activities, changes of location, and recycling facilities; building capacity for restoration. Adaptation measures that have water quality improvement, and awareness been proposed in key sectors include: campaign to promote water efficiency measures. Interventions in the water l Health: construction of a large number of sector will have to adapt the integrated nomadic clinics; recruitment of more (about approach to water resource management 24,000) technical staff to strengthen and utilization. In Kenya, this is imbedded public health services across the country; in the ‘Integrated River Basin and Large- heightened surveillance of new outbreaks Water Bodies-based Natural Resource with consequent rapid responses; and Management Programme’ of the six health education campaigns. regional basin-based institutions, e.g. the Tana & Athi River Development Authority l Agriculture: provision of downscaled (TARDA) and the Lake Basin Development Excavation of Mogole commu- weather information and farm inputs; Authority (LBDA), etc. nity earth dam, ALRMP, Malindi, water harvesting e.g. building of sand 2008 dams for irrigation; protection of l Fisheries: developing country-wide maps that will depict areas that require shore protection measures; developing financing mechanisms using non-consumptive options for supporting marine ecosystem research and development; and encouraging a coastal and watershed- basin management approach linking land-use practices to marine and fisheries resource conservation.

l Tourism/Wildlife: development of a National Wildlife Adaptation Strategy (a suite of a suite of well assessed climate change adaptation strategies) by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and stakeholders including the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the tourism industry, etc; development and enforcement of Green Strategy and Code; and branding of Kenya as a Green Destination.

14 ‘together we can tackle climate change’ l Livestock/pastoralism: developing l Social Amenities including human special livestock insurance schemes; settlements: strengthening disaster breeding of animals that adapt well to preparedness; proper planning of climatic vagaries; regular vaccination urban settlements which takes into campaigns; promotion of economic consideration the expected high growth livelihood diversification, e.g. cultivation rate of urban population due to climate- of drought-tolerant food crops such induced migration from rural areas to as millet and bee-keeping for honey urban centres; and establishing insurance production; and awareness campaigns schemes to support preparedness in among pastoral communities to underscore regions susceptible to climatic disasters. the importance of balancing stocking rates with the available land resources as a way 4.2 Mitigation of ensuring sustainable pastoralism. Mitigation refers to efforts that seek to prevent or slow down the increase of atmospheric GHG l Physical Infrastructure including concentrations by limiting current and future transportation and telecommunication emissions and enhancing potential sinks for networks: ensuring that the infrastructure GHGs. In Kenya, the sectors associated with high is climate-proof over its lifespan, which emissions include forestry (due to forests logging includes carrying out geotechnical site and land use change), energy, agriculture and investigations (GSIs) to determine transport. The GHG emission trend in Kenya appropriate sites for infrastructure during the last 20 years is shown in Figure 3. development; factoring a maintenance component into all infrastructural Proposed mitigation interventions include development funds; and designing projects of the Kenya Forest Service’s Forestry infrastructure that can withstand the Development Plan (FDP); Energy Ministry’s prevailing climatic conditions, e.g. Green Energy Development; as well as other structures that can withstand strong interventions in the transport and agricultural , tides as well as high temperatures. sectors.

Figure 3: GHG Emissions trend in Kenya. The figure follows a typical Per capita emissions in Kenya Environmental Kuznets curve, i.e. 14 at low economic growth rates, emissions are low and vice versa; hence the exponential growth in 12 emissions particularly from 2000 to date with improved growth 10 rates. The transport sector contributes significantly to these 8 increasing emissions, especially as a result of high private car 6

use. Emissions are calculated CO2 emissions in t based on the capita emissions data from the International 4 Energy Agency (IEA) while the population data is sourced from 2 the World Bank. As of 2007,

Kenya’s emissions stood at 11.43 0 MtCO2eq. Only emissions due to 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 combustion are tracked. Year l The Forestry Development Plan (FDP) Class I wind1. The arid and semi arid areas aims at growing of 7.6 billion trees have long hours of sunshine throughout during the next 20 years. This will be done the year, making them conducive for solar by growing of trees by 35,000 schools; energy capture and utilisation. Kenya has 4300 women groups; 16,350 youth an ample potential to grow sugarcane, groups, and the six Regional Development sweet sorghum, Jatropha and other non- Authorities. Each school will be supplied food crops suitable for producing biofuels. with a 10, 000 litre water tank to support By maximizing these potentials, Kenya can harvesting of water for the establishment contribute significantly to reduce global and management of tree nurseries as well GHGs as well as its unhealthy reliance on as watering of planted out seedlings. In imported fossil fuels. addition, large scale land owners with at least 50 acres of land will be encouraged l A number of desirable and implementable to construct dams for water harvesting and green energy projects have been storage in order to support establishment identified. The Government is prepared of irrigated private forests. to allocate a large amount of budgetary Installation of turbines resources, while the same time, is seeking on Ngong Hills. Investing in re- l The Green Energy Development support of bilateral and multilateral newable energy sources such as Programme will seek to take advantage financial institutions. It will offer credit wind energy will enable Kenya of Kenya’s abundant renewable energy and subsidy facilities to private investors meet its energy needs and con- resources. The proven geothermal steam to facilitate rapid completion of these tribute to global initiatives to reserves are equivalent to 7000 MW. The projects. The green energy projects are reduce GHG emissions. Photo by north-eastern parts of the country are estimated to provide an additional 2790 Camco Kenya ideal for wind power generation, with MW by 2014. Building on the success of this programme, it is envisaged that Kenya will become a Green Economy by 2020. In addition, Kenya will pursue energy efficiency options. Such options include: (a) mandatory energy audits of large commercial and industrial consumers; (b) review of tax policies to encourage the importation of energy efficient motor vehicles; (c) subsidies and other tax incentives to promote and sustain wider adoption of energy efficient electrical gadgets such as compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs and solar hot water heating; and (d) constructing energy efficient buildings, e.g. buildings that use as much sunlight as possible while avoiding direct heating from the Sun in order to minimise energy requirement for cooling purposes.

1 Wind speeds are classified based on Wind Power Density. The wind power density, measured in watts per square meter (W/m2), indicates how much energy is available at a site for conversion by a wind turbine. Class I wind (the lowest in the ranking) refers to wind power density of less than 100 W/m2 and 200 W/ m2 at 10 m and 50 m above ground, respectively. For more information, refer to http://www.awea.org/faq/ basicwr.html

16 ‘together we can tackle climate change’ 4.2.1 Carbon Markets Developing countries (also known as Non- Annex 1) such as Kenya can choose to undertake mitigation projects in the sectors described above (e.g. energy, transport, agriculture) as well as manufacturing and others. These projects can gain monetarily from ‘carbon markets’ that allow them to sell Certified Emission Reduction (CER) credits to developed countries (also known as Annex 1) to help the latter mitigate against climate change cost-effectively. Certified Emission Reductions are traded through regulated compliance markets under the Kyoto Protocol’s Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). Carbon markets also comprise of the buying of ‘carbon offsets’ as Verified Emission Reductions (VER) by individuals and organisations who wish to voluntarily offset their GHG emissions, i.e. under the Voluntary Carbon Markets (VCM). In future, the VCM will probably be dominated by An artist’s impression of the l Transport: some of the proposed the Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Bangkok Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) interventions include promotion of low- Degradation (REDD) mechanism. line. A well developed BRT system cost public transport modes such as Bus would offer a fast, comfortable Rapid Transit (BRT) and other means of In order for Kenya to participate effectively and convenient means of mass transport; proper urban and transport in the carbon markets including the CDM, the movement within a busy traffic following measures will need to be undertaken: metropolis such as Nairobi, and planning to facilitate efficient and low GHG would attract middle-income modes of transportation, e.g. decongesting people “to get out of their cars”. roads; encouraging non-motorised modes l calculation of the baseline GHG Grid Many developing countries are of transport (NMT) by creating bikeways Emission Factor (GEF) for the electricity developing BRT systems to help and pedestrian walkways; creating grid of Kenya to facilitate CDM projects in them reduce their transport GHG transport demand management measures the power sector and assist carbon project emissions. Photo source: http:// that encourage or favour public transport developers and consultants, transitmy.org/2010/03/17/do- and NMT; establishing a Light Rail Transit bus-lanes-worsen-congestion/ l target capacity building for the private (LRT) along with the BRT in major cities sector and investors to increase the and towns to help decongest traffic; and knowledge of GHG reduction project improving the country’s railway network development and markets, e.g. developing to facilitate low-cost and low-carbon a handbook for CDM Project Activities long-distance transportation of cargo and detailing the role of government and the passengers. UNFCCC, CDM cycle, types of projects, l Agriculture: proposed mitigation measures eligibility criteria, CDM transaction include appropriate use of biotechnologies costs and how to sell Certified Emission which increase food production per Reductions (CERs), unit area while simultaneously limiting GHG emissions; proper management of l a government-fronted manual that guides agricultural waste e.g. using manure CDM implementation should be produced to produce biogas; and promotion of and disseminated. It should be placed on agroforestry especially tree-based a public website, as has been done by a intercropping (TBI). number of countries including Tanzania, l strengthening relevant institutions such as difficult and least viable (low hanging the Designated National Authority (DNA) fruits first to build momentum), and removing barriers to carbon trading such as high initial transaction costs and l creating a database of existing projects, low level of awareness of CDM potential emission reduction volumes, other on the part of private sector, particularly benefits, project developers, financiers, investment and financial organisations, government support, and

l providing tax incentives and favourable l exploring ways of integrating carbon import tariffs on technology for projects markets into the main economy and that reduce emissions, opening it to conventional legal and banking systems. l having clear energy pricing and CDM project policies including a clear, strong Specific recommendations that can enable institutional framework and good Kenya to benefit from REDD opportunities Clearing of natural forests to governance, include: make charcoal. Providing forest- dependent communities with l ensuring that Kenya establishes itself l establishing robust monitoring, reporting incentives to conserve their as a cost-effective host country to GHG and verification (MRV) institutional forests can enable them ben- emission reduction projects, arrangements (clear credible national forest efit from opportunities offered monitoring baselines and guidelines), by the REDD markets. Photo by l designing a general ranking of the easiest Camco Kenya and most viable project types to the most l filling the historical data gaps on forest cover throughout the country,

l addressing the risk of non-permanence and leakage as a necessary condition for any parties or entities to participate in a REDD mechanism and activities,

l establishing and building capacity on REDD methodology development especially strengthening financial support, technology transfer and provision for capacity building especially among forest- dependent communities, and

l establishing and strengthening partnerships between the public and private sectors in order to mobilise the necessary finance and accelerate REDD actions.

18 ‘together we can tackle climate change’ 5. Climate Change Communication, Education and Awareness Programmes

Climate change awareness is low countrywide. l Education-based entertainment: educating This was evident from the findings of the citizens on climate change while consultative workshops conducted in all entertaining them at the same time the eight provinces of Kenya during the through theatrical performances, preparation of this Strategy. The need for awareness creation, targeting specific groups l mainstreaming climate change awareness and communities, and using different tools in all programmes and projects undertaken and media such as the print and electronic by the Government, NGOs, CBOs, media media, drama, community forums (barazas�) etc, is therefore pressing. Equally important is the incorporation of climate change into the l creating climate change training material nation’s educational curricula at different and programmes for target groups of levels, starting with primary through to stakeholders and specific groups, i.e. tertiary institutions. women, men, children, youth, people with disabilities, religious groups, Ways of enhancing climate change awareness that the Strategy has identified include the l promotional activities and sponsorship of following: events with climate change themes, e.g. a reward scheme for pupils or individuals l establishing a National Climate Change who plant trees and maintain them, Awareness campaign. The National AIDS/ STD Control Programme (NASCOP) model l online blogging on sites such as Facebook, for sexually transmitted diseases can be Twitter, Google Groups, and Yahoo Groups adapted, through which various topics on climate change could be discussed, and l using print and electronic media to pass climate change information in various l involving the corporate sector, especially articles and programmes on climate change the mobile telephone industry e.g. to in the media, display ‘airtime top-up messages’ on climate change. 6. Vulnerability Assessement, Impact Monitoring and Capacity Building

A thorough nationwide assessment on how policy, adaptation, mitigation, technology climate change elements – temperature rise, generation, carbon finance and markets to change in precipitation, extreme weather strengthen the human resource capital base for events, sea level rise and other seasonal shifts – these subjects. These include, among others: will affect phenomena such as floods, drought, water shortages (supply and quality), air l capacity building and support for the quality, human health, and habitat loss should modernisation and development of be conducted. The need to conduct climate national meteorological services e.g. the change scenarios and develop corresponding Kenya Meteorological Department and policy responses on how these changes will IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications affect human population, infrastructure, the Centre (ICPAC), environment, the economy and society as a whole should also be emphasized. l strengthening planning and capacity development initiatives to reduce risk, In addition to vulnerability assessments, prepare and recover from disasters periodic monitoring and assessment of the including strengthening institutions in status of key natural eco-systems will be charge of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) required to design appropriate response cope with climate disasters, measures that can check against their degradation and preserve them for the sake l capacity building in the use of geo- of current and future generations. Periodic referenced demographic and socioeconomic determination of levels of GHG emissions will data, in addition to setting up a GHG also have to be undertaken in order to identify reduction policy and tools, ‘high-emissions’ sectors and areas where significant GHG reductions can be realised. l strengthening the Designated National Such GHG emissions data could also feed Authority (DNA), including additional into the National Communications as required personnel, and under the UNFCCC. l building the capacity of local communities A targeted capacity-building framework to enable them adapt to the adverse is recommended in the areas of science, impacts of climate change.

20 ‘together we can tackle climate change’ 7. Research, Technology Development, Absorption and Diffusion

The Strategy has identified specific sectoral appliances and tools; the development of research needs as a response to the impacts of eco-friendly energy resources such as wind, climate change. solar, biogas, small hydros, etc; as well as research on the sustainability of biofuels l In the Agricultural sector, research areas especially Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of include the development of superior biodiesel. (drought-tolerant, fast-maturing, disease and pest-resistant) crop varieties; l In the Forestry sector, research areas entail countrywide assessments to determine evaluating the potential for remunerating regional vulnerability of the sector to natural resource users for natural forests climate change elements; and strengthening conservation and restoration with funds research in vaccines against priority from carbon markets (e.g. under a REDD+ livestock diseases and inoculants for scheme); developing technologies to improving soil nitrogen and phosphorous rehabilitate naturally degraded areas in acid soils as well as enhancing soil or those cleared for charcoal burning; Research produces improved biological resources, among others. and validation as well as integration of local crop and livestock breeds indigenous knowledge and technologies in with higher productivity and l In the Energy sector, priority research woodlands management. disease resistance. areas include energy efficient innovations (Source: KARI, undated) and technologies, and both low-carbon l In the Health sector, research areas will encompass assessing the risks of populations to climate change impacts (including short and long-term public health effects of e.g. extreme weather events) using climate- disease prediction models, and identifying the most effective interventions; the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to map the spatial distribution of interacting risk factors and other critical data, and to communicate research results effectively to policymakers, stakeholders and the public; and innovative research to produce vaccines against diseases such as malaria, cholera and others whose outbreaks will intensify with climate change.

l In the Water sector, areas in which research is needed are on intensified hydrologic cycle predictions as these have a direct effect on the spatial and temporal distribution of rainfall and therefore the quantity of fresh water available for domestic, commercial and industrial use; assessment of l carrying out sensitivity analysis, and watersheds and water resource vulnerability projecting how these indicators will due to hydrological cycle changes; and affect rangelands resources including assessment of the potential impacts of wildlife in the future. climate change on water, waste-water and -water infrastructure – including risk l In addition to research in the priority sec- exposure of key infrastructural nodes to tors highlighted above, information docu- weather extremes – and the impact of rising mentation and dissemination are impor- sea level on coastal water infrastructure. tant to ensure that different stakeholders take appropriate action to respond to the l In the Fisheries sector, research should challenges presented by climate change. be focus on supporting vulnerability To this end, one of the key priority areas assessments of aquatic, coastal and marine will be improving national coordination of ecosystems to determine resilient regions information through enhancing packaging and species to be accorded conservation and expediting timely dissemination. priority; evaluating current land-ocean interactions and the impact of their changes Further, efforts should be made to support on fisheries resources; and assessing the technology generation and absorption through socioeconomic impacts of climate change institutional capacity building; research and on the livelihoods of fishing and coastal development; and technology transfer from communities, among others. the industrialised countries to Kenya. To this end, the Strategy has identified some l In the Rangelands and Wildlife sector, of the channels through which technology priority research areas are assessing current development, absorption and diffusion can be and future climate change threats and achieved, which include: risks to wildlife in order to formulate the aforementioned National Wildlife Adaptation l through the Kyoto Protocol’s CDM or its fu- Strategy. This will involve: ture successor,

l analysing the current climate variability l through the United Nations Industrial De- in marginal rainfall areas, velopment Organization (UNIDO),

l identifying rainfall homogenous areas, l accelerating South-South partnerships,

l identification and analysis of climate l accelerating North-South transfers through risk factors, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) including taking advantage of ‘patent-free’ technolo- l collecting and analysing historical data gies, on climate induced impacts in rangelands, l establishing local technological innovation l collecting and analysing data on cli- centres which will help strengthen institu- mate induced and human disturbances tional technology generation and transfer in rangelands, through learning-by-doing approach, and

l assessing the socioeconomic dynamics l including climate change research and de- and activities of the communities living velopment in all budgets of Ministries with in and around wildlife protected areas, substantial allocations to institutions of higher learning to strengthen research ca- l assessing the current human-wildlife pacities. conflicts, and

22 ‘together we can tackle climate change’ 8. Climate Change Governance

An analysis of existing environmental policy l In addition, the Strategy has established and legal framework currently in place to that institutions currently in place to govern guide climate change activities in Kenya has climate change affairs are inadequate. It been performed. It has revealed that Kenya has consequently recommended that a currently has no policies or laws that deal dedicated and adequately funded Climate directly and explicitly with climate change. Change Secretariat be established within The only policy that has attempted to address the Ministry of Environment and Mineral climate change to some extent is the draft Resources to oversee climate change National Environmental Policy of 2008. The issues including the implementation of same is true of the legislative framework, the adaptation and mitigation programmes with the national environmental law, the and the other aspects of the National Environmental Management and Coordination Climate Change Response Strategy. This Act (EMCA, 1999), only having certain Secretariat, including the proposed provisions relevant to mitigation of climate structures within it (see figure 4 below), change, but not effectively addressing several should be anchored on the provisions aspects of the problem. of the new climate change laws to be enacted. • The Strategy therefore recommends that a comprehensive climate change policy and l Further, in relation to climate change related legislation be put in place. This governance, it is recommended that the could be achieved by either reviewing and National Climate Change Activities updating the clauses on climate change Coordinating Committee (NCCACC) in the draft National Environmental Policy continue to perform its current advisory or developing a completely new climate capacity. It is further proposed that MEMR change policy. This should be followed by establishes a National Climate Change a review of existing laws (in particular, the Steering Committee to help it gather Environment Management and Coordination and collate input and advice from key Act, EMCA of 1999) to make them climate climate change stakeholders for its use change responsive and/or enactment of a in the coordination of Kenya’s climate new and comprehensive climate change change activities. The Climate Change law. However, the Strategy recommends Secretariat to be established at MEMR that a new climate change legislation will provide secretarial functions for the be enacted, a process that could run two committees. The Climate Change concurrently with formulation of a climate Coordination Unit (CCCU) at the Office of change policy. the Prime Minister will continue to provide high-level political support to climate change activities in Kenya. Figure 4: The Proposed Climate Change Governance Structure

MEMR

NEM A Secretariat at MEMR

Policy, Law & Strategy Programmes Office

Emissions REDD, Communications, Research, Land- Adapta tion Trading, Education and Early Warning Monitoring & CDM and Use and Programmes Awareness and Disaster Evaluation Technology Land- Division Division Management Division Transfer Use Division Division: Change

the DNA Division

Key Players: Key Players: Key Players: Key Players: Key Players: Key Players: Government, Government, KMD, Interdepartme Investment Government, Local Universities, National Lands ntal committee Promotion KFS, KARI, Authorities, NEMA, Media Information of experts on Centre, NEMA, KEFRI, NEMA, Universities, Training Management M&E, External Government, ICRAF, ICIPE, Private Sector, Institutions, Systems, CC M&E experts, Local local & int’l Civil Society/ Civil Society/ Expert Group, Internal Authorities, NGOs & NGOs NGOs, Local & KSFS, KWS, Auditors, KIRDI, KIPI, Development Development KASALs, FAO External KEBS, KNPC, partners Partners & other local & Auditors, NGOs, local & int’l orgs. & Office of the foreign experts devt. partners PM & development partners

24 ‘together we can tackle climate change’

9. Action Plan, Resource Mobilisation Plan and Implementation Framework

9.1 Action Plan in the main Strategy document outlines specific The adaptation, mitigation and related activities, their timeframe, and estimated cost programmes identified in the Strategy will of implementation. The budget component of be implemented over the next 20 years at an the Action Plan is shown in figure 5 below. annual average cost of Ksh. 235.83 billion (approximately US$ 3.14 billion). Forestry, 9.2 Resource Mobilization Energy and Infrastructure (Roads Maintenance) From Figure 5, one notes that significant sectors are expected to absorb the lion’s share additional financial resources need to be of this budget. A detailed Action Plan presented mobilised for the implementation of this

Table 1: Estimated Annual Bud- Sub- sector/Ministry Annual Cost. Ksh. Billion get for proposed Climate Change Projects and Programmes Productive Sector 76.96 Agriculture 10.60 Tourism 0.04 Marine & Fisheries Resources 2.52 Forestry and Wildlife 32.26 Environment & Mineral Resources 7.39 Cooperative Development and Marketing 0.15 Regional Development Authorities 24.00 Physical Infrastructure & Service Industry 111.52 Energy Sector 73.71 Water & Irrigation 5.96 Roads (maintenance) 20.00 Transport Sector (devt. of BRT and LRT) 11.85 Manpower 37.45 Youth Affairs and Sports 2.75 Gender, Children & Social Development 2.70 Special Programmes (Famine and DRR) 32.00 Education 7.90 Health (Public) 1.30 ICT 0.70 Grand Total (Approx) 235.83 Strategy, with every effort made to reallocate level especially in dealing with climate-related the country’s budgetary resources and emergencies. raise additional revenue for this purpose. Nevertheless, most of the funding will be The Strategy has also made recommendations mobilised from developed countries either for the establishment of a National Adaptation directly or indirectly through the multilateral Facility (NAF) or Authority that can be used financial institutions and the UN agencies. for the mobilisation and consolidation of Carbon trade as well as payment for ecosystems resources from multiple sources to tackle services schemes are also viable avenues of adaptation needs. revenue generation to support implementation of this Strategy. 9.3 Implementation Framework The Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Division In addition, all governmental and non- of the proposed Climate Change Secretariat governmental institutions should mainstream to be established within the Ministry of climate change proofing and responsiveness in Environment and Mineral Resources (MEMR) their programmes and projects. will oversee the implementation of the adaptation and mitigation programmes and Further, since combating climate change is a the other aspects of the National Climate high-investment undertaking as depicted by Response Strategy. Its functions will include the indicative costs in the Action Plan, there among others, monitoring the impact of the is need to include the devolved funds – the implementation of the proposed interventions Local Authority Transfer Fund (LATF) and the as well as monitoring the performance of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) – in the various climate change units within the order to have great impact at the grassroots Secretariat.

26 ‘together we can tackle climate change’ 10. Recommendations and Conclusion

It is undeniable that climate change is Activities identified in the Action Plan currently affecting Kenya. Droughts and floods require substantial additional and adequate have become frequent and intense and the financial resources for their implementation, country has also seen an increase in average and funding is therefore required from both temperatures, hotter days, colder nights, internal and external sources. Given the successive crop failures and the spread of vector- importance of adaptation, it is recommended borne diseases such as malaria to places where that the Kenyan Government create a multi- the disease is not known to be endemic. These stakeholder National Adaptation Facility climatic changes affect resources critical to the (NAF) for mobilising resources for adaptation health and prosperity of Kenya. For example, activities. the 1999/2000 La Niña droughts resulted in 4.7 million Kenyans facing starvation, while All stakeholders should mainstream climate- according to unofficial reports, the effects of proofing and climate change responsive the 2006-2009 successive drought episodes activities in their programmes and projects. In caused 10 million people – over a fourth of achieving this, most line ministries, particularly Kenya’s population – to starve. those offering development and infrastructural services, have developed climate change As global GHG emissions are continuing response programme-concepts, which will form unabated, climate change impacts are likely the basis of sectoral programmes and projects. to intensify an already precarious situation These are included in the Action Plan of the into the future. If no action is taken to Strategy. reduce or minimise expected impacts from climate change, the costs to society and the While Kenya stands to benefit immensely economy will be immense. The Strategy has from the advanced technology of developed therefore identified the sectors that are most countries, efforts should be made to vulnerable to climate change impacts and support local technology generation and proposed interventions to reduce or mitigate application through institutional capacity these impacts, while promoting a low- building programmes. Consequently, new and carbon economy and climate change-resilient additional resources are needed to support and production systems. In addition, the Strategy strengthen the country’s research and academic has proposed the establishment of a dedicated institutions to enable them undertake research Climate Change Secretariat that will oversee in climate change related fields. its implementation. 28 ‘together we can tackle climate change’

Comments and Views are invited from the public. Please address them to:- THE PERMANENT SECRETARY Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources NHIF BUILDING, RAGATI ROAD, UPPERHILL P.O. Box 30126 Nairobi 00100 • TEL 020-2730808 Email: [email protected] Also visit MEMR website http://www.environment.go.ke

6 ‘our environment our life’ ‘together we can tackle climate change’