By Bob Aston
The Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN) is pleased
to present a special edition of Joto Afrika newsletter. This edition presents
key initiatives the Ministry of Environment
Natural Resources and Regional Development Authorities (MENRRDA) and its
partners have undertaken in realizing a low emission and climate resilient
development pathway.
The United States Agency for International
Development (USAID) through United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP) supported the production of the special
edition of the newsletter by funding the Low Emission and Climate
Resilient Development (LECRD) Project, within the framework of the US
Government led effort on Enhancing Capacity for Low Emission Development
Strategy (EC-LEDS).
Joto Afrika, meaning
“Africa is feeling the heat’ in Kiswahili is a series of printed briefings and
online resources about low emission and climate change adaptation actions. The
series helps people understand the issues, constrains and opportunities that
people face in adapting to climate change and escaping poverty.
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| The latest edition of JotoAfrika newsletter |
According to Richard L.
Lesiyampe (PhD) MBS, Principal Secretary MENRRDA, the special edition had
featured some initiatives made by non-state actors toward strengthening the
national response to climate change.
This is to demonstrate
that an effective climate response must involve all stakeholders working in a
coordinated manner, hence harnessing different experiences and lesson for
maximum effectiveness.
He noted that climate
change presents a special global challenge to the social and economic
development agenda. Kenya has taken important steps towards effectively
addressing the phenomenon, including putting in place relevant policies and
strategies.
The country, for example,
was among the first in Africa to come up with a National Climate Change
Response Strategy (NCCRS) in 2010. Thereafter in 2013, Kenya launched the
National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP, 2013–2017), which is the blueprint
for implementing the NCCRS.
Additionally, Kenya is in
the process of formalizing both the National Climate Change Framework Policy
and Climate Change Bill.
In response to the
decisions adopted by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC), the country has now developed its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution
(INDC) on reducing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions that was submitted in July
2015.
The INDC has an ambitious
target of 30 per cent reduction in emissions by 2030. It is in line with the
low carbon climate resilient development pathway, which Kenya has adopted.
Kenya has also set in
place a mechanism for raising public awareness about climate change as a way of
ensuring all-round involvement of citizens in combating its negative impacts
and taking advantage of opportunities.
In a bold step to bring
this about, the government has constructed a National Climate Change Resource
Centre in Nairobi, which is open for public use. It is the national repository
for climate change information relevant to Kenya.
The Resource Centre
incorporates green building concepts such as use of solar power, biogas, and
water recycling. The Centre has a library, amphitheater and training facilities
for dissemination of climate related information.
A virtual online version
of the Climate Change Resource Centre in the form of a one-stop climate change
portal is currently under development to ensure widespread access of climate
change information by the public.
It is our hope that
readers will find this special issue informative and add value to their work on
addressing the challenges and opportunities that come with climate change. You
can download a copy of the special Joto Afrika issue here.
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