Nairobi, 18th November 2023
Nairobi City County on Thursday hosted local Climate Stocktake event which is a crucial step in understanding and confronting the challenges that climate change poses to the City of Nairobi, at Charter Hall, Nairobi.
Global stock take is a live inventory mandated every 5 years to evaluate progress in climate action at the global level and identify overall gaps by countries to achieve the Paris Agreement as well as to initiatives to fill them.
The event was held in partnership with ECLEI- a global network of local and regional governments which is supporting a select number of cities across the Global South to host their local and subnational stock take events. The gathering brought together climate change stakeholders, including Udgoon Sustainable Development Initiative (USDI), Global Taskforce, Panafrican Climate Change Alliance (PCCA), and Kenya Platform for Climate Governance (KPCG), in a collaborative effort to address the pressing issue of climate change and also educate the public on combating climate change.
Speaking on behalf of the County Director for Environment, Mr. Maurice Kavai, the County Deputy Director for Climate Change and Air Quality monitoring said the stock taking is a strategic endeavor that will pave way for actionable initiatives aligning with the goals of Conference of the Parties (COP) 28; a global platform where nations and cities unite in pursuit of sustainable and equitable solutions.
“Nairobi City County has undertaken various efforts in an effort to tackle Climate Change and its impacts. These initiatives include the formulation of a Climate Action Plan 2020-2050 that aligns with the global goal of limiting the average temperature rise to 1.50C as set out in the Paris Agreement. “Said Kavai
He added that the county has developed a Climate Change Management Bill which is in its second reading at the County Assembly. This bill provides for the development, management, implementation and regulation of mechanisms to enhance climate change resilience and low carbon development for the sustainable development of the city.
In order to mitigate the impacts of climate change Nairobi City County Governor H.E Sakaja Johnson recently recruited 2,500 support staff ‘The Green Army’ to enhance preparedness and manage the impacts of climate natural disasters such as floods. Additionally, the green army has been tasked with the greening of the city’s open spaces.
Mr. Kavai further mentioned that the County has also collaborated with stakeholders such as Airqo, Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) and United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) to monitor its air quality from various air quality monitors installed in different parts of the county to help identify pollution hot spots for mitigation measures with the sourced data on air quality is made available to the public on the Nairobi County website.
Ms. Pauline Saris from the Kenya Platform for Climate Governance (KPCG) explained a roadmap towards this shared aspiration, pointing out key ambitious strategies and initiatives such as forest management incorporation, curbing deforestation and forest encroachment, integrating financial mechanisms for forest conservation, and conducting national engagement forums to educate and implement climate change policies.
Participants agreed that the fight against Climate Change calls for decentralization of service deliveries, leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as recycling, pollution minimization, and the eradication of plastics. Emphasis was placed on holistic planning, fostering inclusive partnerships, bolstering consultation processes, and empowering economic transitions, alongside advocating for urban planning and widespread public education.
Also agreed as a critical strategy to this journey, was the government’s accountability in climate preservation, harnessing community action towards climate and forest interventions, and heightening awareness on waste management strategies.
Ms. Juliet Oluoch from Udgoon Sustainable Development Initiative (USDI) emphasized the need for integration, waste management strategies, defining the way forward, and Nairobi’s steadfast commitment to combat climate change.
Several stakeholders including Udgoon Sustainable Development Initiative lauded Nairobi City County for its proactive involvement and pivotal role in hosting the event, highlighting the city’s dedication to climate action.
Guest speakers, included Garissa County Member of Parliament Udgot Siyat, Assistant Director Youth Nairobi County Susan Kimani, Nairobi County Assembly Member for Karura Ward Hon. Kamau Thuo and Fredrick Auma Ochieng from Transparency Initiative Kenya, who lent their expertise to guide the discourse.
Present were; Assistant Director Climate change, Ms. Grace Ojiayo, Subcounty and Ward Environment Officers.
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