Climate change has emerged as one of the most pressing global challenges of the 21st century. The impacts of climate change have become increasingly visible, and Kenya is no exception.
The country faces significant climate risks, such as prolonged droughts, erratic rainfall patterns and rising temperatures. These risks have adversely affected agriculture, water resources and human settlements, among other sectors. As a result, there is a pressing need for Kenya to embrace innovative financing solutions to address the impacts of climate change.
Kenya is highly vulnerable to climate change due to its overdependence on agriculture and natural resources. The country's economy relies heavily on rain-fed agriculture, which employs about 75 per cent of the population and contributes 33 per cent of the GDP. This makes it highly susceptible to the effects of climate change.
In recent years, Kenya has experienced severe droughts, leading to food and water shortages. For instance, the 2016-17 drought affected more than 2.7 million people, causing a significant increase in food prices and malnutrition rates. Similarly, heavy rainfall and flooding have become more frequent, displacing thousands of people and damaging infrastructure.
Kenya has made strides in addressing climate change through various financing mechanisms. The country has established the National Climate Change Action Plan 2018-2022, which outlines priority actions and funding requirements for climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Additionally, Kenya has set up the National Climate Change Fund, a financial mechanism designed to mobilise resources for climate change initiatives.
However, these efforts have been hampered by insufficient funding and limited capacity to access and manage climate finance. According to a report by the National Treasury, Kenya requires an estimated $62 billion (Sh8.6 trillion) between 2020 and 2030 to fully implement the NCCAP, but the available funding falls significantly short.
Climate change financing remains a critical challenge for Kenya, given the country's vulnerability to climate risks and the significant funding requirements for climate change initiatives. However, Kenya can draw lessons from global best practices to strengthen its climate change financing efforts.
These climate-related challenges underscore the need for urgent action to build resilience and mitigate the impacts of climate change in Kenya. For instance, countries like Rwanda and Malawi have adopted climate-smart agriculture practices, such as conservation agriculture and agroforestry, to enhance food security and build resilience to climate change.
Kenya can promote these practices and provide targeted financing to farmers to adopt climate-smart agriculture practices. Additionally, Kenya can emulate this approach and build its capacity to access and manage global climate funds, such as the Green Climate Fund and the Adaptation Fund.
Similarly, Kenya can leverage the approach to attract private capital for its climate initiatives, such as renewable energy projects and climate-resilient infrastructure.
Communications consultant and sexual and reproductive health rights youth advocate at NAYA Kenya ([email protected])
