Environmental stakeholders and conservationists in Lamu county have welcomed the ‘Go Blue’ initiative aimed at mainstreaming blue carbon into Coast development programmes.
With the support of the European Union, the joint initiative is aimed at achieving climatic commitments to advance the blue economy agenda across all six coastal counties of Kilifi, Kwale, Lamu, Mombasa, Taita Taveta, and Tana River.
The project is being implemented at a cost of Sh3.5 billion for a period of four years with the funds being given through the regional economic bloc, Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani.
Speaking during the close of a two-day consultative workshop at Mwana Arafa Hotel in Lamu town on Thursday, Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani CEO Emmanuel Nzai said the initiative also aims at helping conserve mangroves and boost the blue economy and tourism.
He said once fully adopted, the Go Blue initiative will equally enable promotion of cultural heritage in the coastal counties.
Nzai encouraged entrepreneurs and targeted organisations from the various Coast counties to submit applications and proposals for the grants, citing Kwale county as among the areas where Go Blue project in carbon harvesting has been tested and succeeded, with communities earning a living from it.
“We want coastal counties to play an active role in developing a national platform of blue carbon experts and identifying the concerned priority projects and needs. This will help in synthesizing the progress made in the incorporations of blue carbon ecosystems into development and climate change agenda at large,” Nzai said.
The workshop brought together various stakeholders and entities, including the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, the Kenya Forest Services, The Nature Conservancy, World Wide Fund for Nature, Kenya Wildlife Service, National Environment and Management Authority, Lamu mangrove loggers among others.
The major objective of the Lamu workshop was to assess the status of blue carbon ecosystems in Kenya, identify knowledge gaps and opportunities for conservation, restoration and how to integrate them in sustainable coastal development.
Chief KMFRI scientist James Kairo termed the Go Blue initiative as the best platform for Lamu and the Tana sea scope to explore ways to increase capacity through the development of blue carbon networks in the country.
He said there is need for citizens to assess the status and conditions of blue carbon, including threats facing them and trends.
Kairo said the proposed work plan for Lamu and Tana River seascape is a build-up of past and present blue carbon activities in the area by KMFRI in collaboration with TNC, Edinburgh Napier University, and WWF, among others.
“Kwale is benefitting from carbon tapped from mangroves. Lamu is the best place for the implementation of this project now that over 60 per cent of Kenya’s mangrove forest cover lies within this place. This will help people embrace conservation activities and at the same time earn a living out of it,” Kairo said.
The KFS deputy chief conservator of forests Charity Munyasia said the initiative will greatly help conserve the coastal and marine ecosystems while enhancing environmentally friendly job creation.
“It’s a significant step in upscaling the rehabilitation and conservation of blue carbon ecosystems for climate, community, and biodiversity benefits. We urge the people of Lamu to embrace it,” Munyasia said.
-Edited by SKanyara
