Kenya primed on climate costs

Wednesday, 07 July 2010 18:26

SEI researcher Tom Downing meets with the Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki (seated) and Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

SEI study provides jumping-off point for Kenya’s policy on adaptation to climate change.

SEI’s report The Economics of Climate Change: Kenya, lays out the possible costs to the country of climate impacts and puts forward policy responses. The report was prepared in partnership with the Kenyan Ministry of Environment and Office of the Prime Minister.

Key to policy response
Africa must take swift action to prepare for climate change if it is to avoid severe human and economic consequences. In 2009, our knowledge support was key to the development of Kenya’s policy response to the threat of rising temperatures.

After the report was published, SEI continued its high-level engagement with the Kenyan Government throughout 2009. At the government leadership retreat in November, SEI staff stressed the report’s key message to Kenya’s top officials – that they should pursue a coordinated policy on adaptation and low-carbon development at the national and sectoral levels.

Three pillars for success
We officially presented the final report to the Office of the Prime Minister on 4 December, just prior to COP 15. But the study looks far beyond Copenhagen and stresses that in the long-term a successful response to climate change must be built on three pillars: institutional capacity, knowledge management and multi-stakeholder funding.

Climate change policy in Kenya clearly reflects SEI’s input and is making progress, despite the setback of COP 15 and the distraction of upcoming elections.

The government will take forward adaptation policy – including our recommendations – through a new agency set up to implement policy and manage funds.