Kenya calls for local climate solutions

Kenya has called for localised, science-driven climate adaptation strategies to address the deepening climate crisis in Africa, as global leaders gather for the Africa Climate Resilience Summit in Nairobi.

The summit, hosted at the World Agroforestry Centre from June 30 to July 1, 2025, has brought together policymakers, scientists, community leaders, faith-based organisations, and international institutions in a unified bid to strengthen climate resilience on the continent.

Speaking at the summit, Wilber Ottichilo, Chair of Kenya’s Environment, Forestry, and Climate Change Committee, and Governor of Vihiga County, warned of the continent’s extreme vulnerability to climate change.

“Africa is at the forefront of climate vulnerability,” said Ottichilo.

“We need integrated, science-based solutions and innovative financing mechanisms to ensure that vulnerable communities are not left behind.”

Citing a United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) forecast, Ottichilo warned that by 2050, half of Africa’s population could face food insecurity as a result of intensifying climate impacts.

The summit is the latest in a series of regional conferences inspired by the Vatican’s global climate resilience campaign, initiated under the late Pope Francis’s vision.

The initiative aims to translate moral and scientific imperatives into regional action.

Chancellor Marcelo Suárez-Orozco, a lead figure in the Vatican’s climate initiatives, emphasised the importance of cross-border unity.

“Climate change knows no borders. We must unite across continents to build resilience and protect vulnerable populations,” he said, stressing that the climate crisis threatens both developed and developing nations alike.

Dr Eliane Ubalijoro, CEO of the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF), highlighted the need to integrate scientific knowledge with local practices.

“As we face the growing climate crisis, we must amplify local practices and invest in integrated approaches that bridge science, policy, and action,” she noted.

Ottichilo spotlighted Kenya’s ongoing efforts, including the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP), major investments in renewable energy, and the country’s ambitious target of planting 15 billion trees by 2032.

He reiterated the need for community-driven adaptation models that harness indigenous knowledge and prioritise grassroots participation.

Archbishop Philip Anyolo of Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi, representing the Church, appealed for moral responsibility and compassion in responding to the crisis.

“What we need is a conversion of the heart,” he said.

“This is not just a scientific or political issue—it’s a deeply human and spiritual one.”

The Africa Climate Resilience Summit aims to chart a new path forward for the continent—one that places climate justice, equitable financing, and local empowerment at the center of Africa’s fight against a warming planet.