By Bisola Adeyemo
Ahead of COP26, the Kenya government with some stakeholders has come together to respond to the climate crisis to hasten progress towards carbon neutrality while taming climate change.
Keriako Tobiko, cabinet secretary in the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, said this at a forum in Nairobi organized by the ministry in conjunction with the private sector and civil society partners to discuss innovative ways to respond to the climate crisis across key sectors of the economy.
He said the forum aimed to develop a broad consensus on interventions required to hasten Kenya’s progress towards carbon neutrality ahead of the Global Climate Summit slated for Glasgow, Scotland from Nov. 1 to 12.
He said the government has prioritized investments in climate resilience programs at the grassroots where extreme weather events have taken a toll on livelihoods.
“We are committed to the realization of a climate-resilient future for communities and their livelihoods but this goal will only be achieved subject to a shift to sustainable lifestyles and restoration of degraded habitats,” said Tobiko.
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According to Tobiko, Xinhua reports that Kenya will rally other African countries to negotiate for adequate financing, technology, and expertise required to strengthen the response to climate change at the Glasgow summit.
He said that some of the projects under implementation including reforestation, the harnessing of renewable energy and water harvesting are expected to boost climate resilience in the country.
Wilbur Otichilo, Governor of western Kenyan county of Vihiga said that local governments have endorsed an ambitious roadmap to promote carbon neutrality, hasten green and inclusive growth.
Otichilo said that sustainable financing combined with policy reforms, knowledge sharing, research and capacity building is key to strengthening climate response at the grassroots.
He said that devolved units have resolved to promote circularity, expansion of forest cover, adoption of cleaner energy and climate-smart farming as part of their sustainability agenda.
Mithika Mwenda, executive director of Nairobi-based Pan African Climate Justice Alliance said the continent required adequate capital flow and appropriate technologies to accelerate its green transition.
