Kenya, EU in fresh deal on climate change

Environment Cabinet Secretary Judi Wakhungu talks with the Head of European Union Delegation to Kenya Dejak Stefano-Antonio (centre) and British High Commissioner to Kenya Christian Turner at Crowne Plaza in Nairobi on October 13,2015 during a Climate Change public awareness forum. PHOTO | EVANS HABIL | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • This comes ahead of the adoption of a new global climate deal in Paris in December, when all countries of the world will gather at the Paris climate conference (COP21) to conclude a new global climate change agreement.
  • The EU and the Ministry of Environment held a climate change public awareness forum in Nairobi where the union’s Ambassador to Kenya, Stefano A. Dejak, said it committed to ensuring the adoption of a legally binding, ambitious and fair international agreement applicable to all countries.
  • He said the target is to ensure that all countries are capable of keeping the global average temperature rise below 2°C and avoiding dangerous climate change.

Kenya and the European Union have committed to strengthen their cooperation on addressing climate change issues.

This comes ahead of the adoption of a new global climate deal in Paris in December, when all countries of the world will gather at the Paris climate conference (COP21) to conclude a new global climate change agreement.

The EU and the Ministry of Environment held a climate change public awareness forum in Nairobi where the union’s Ambassador to Kenya, Stefano A. Dejak, said it committed to ensuring the adoption of a legally binding, ambitious and fair international agreement applicable to all countries.

He said the target is to ensure that all countries are capable of keeping the global average temperature rise below 2°C and avoiding dangerous climate change.

He said the Paris conference will be a historic opportunity to accelerate the shift to a low-carbon, climate-resilient global economy.

“People around the world are looking to their leaders for a signal that they are ready and willing to take decisive action to tackle climate change. The EU and its Member States are committed to doing their part and working with our partners to ensure that Paris is a success,” said the EU official.

Environment Cabinet Secretary Prof Judi Wakhungu said Kenya has not been left behind in the awareness of threats posed by climate change and has taken measures to secure the country’s development against the risks and its impacts.

She said the country is on track to achieve the Constitutional requirement of achieving and maintaining a tree cover of at least 10 per cent of the land area.

The EU and its member states together with the Government of Kenya have supported communities across Kenya through Community Development Trust Fund (CDTF) to plant 10 million trees.

Further, the Environment CS said the country has already introduced a range of low carbon and climate resilient options across many sectors.

They include renewable energy, more efficient use of biomass and sustainable land use management.

The target is in line with the requirements of the Constitution and will help the country achieve Vision 2030.

Kenya aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent relative to business as usual by 2030.

This is expected to be achieved through enhanced mitigation actions in various sectors including energy, forestry, agriculture, transport and waste.

The EU on the other hand says a part from reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the new agreement must also address adaptation to the impacts of climate change and the mobilisation of finance for climate action.

Cooperation on climate change and action to fight it is an integral part of the EU's cooperation with its partners across the world, including in Kenya.