Enhancing climate financing

Lack of finance remains the greatest existential threat especially to African countries in responding to vagaries of climate change.

Environment and Forestry Principal Secretary Dr. Chris K Kiptoo has said many African countries are struggling to mobilize financial flows to address the climate emergency as per the Paris Agreement.

In a speech read on his behalf by Environment Secretary Administrative Mr. Joel Kitili, during the opening of the South-South Cooperation Grant Workshop, he said African countries are least responsible for the problem but bear the greatest burden with little ability to respond.

The PS said the South South programme of the Adaptation Fund is a commendable initiative on the way countries can support each other through the accreditation process and improve access to climate finance.

He said Kenya is already experiencing climate related impacts that have increased vulnerability of communities and ecosystems with negative consequences on the economy and livelihoods.

“Climate finances is a big challenge and therefore the successful accreditation of Mozambique and Botswana will go a long way to address impacts of climate change, Kenya is privileged as a beneficiary of the Adaptation Fund as the National Implementing Entity as well as a Readiness Support beneficiary,” he added. Dr. Kiptoo said Kenya is proud of its partnership with the Adaptation Fund especially in mobilizing and deploying climate finance to assist developing countries’-built resilience to climate shocks.

“Climate finances is a big challenge and therefore the successful accreditation of Mozambique and Botswana will go a long way to address impacts of climate change, Kenya is privileged as a beneficiary of the Adaptation Fund as the National Implementing Entity as well as a Readiness Support beneficiary,” he added.

Dr. Kiptoo said Kenya is proud of its partnership with the Adaptation Fund especially in mobilizing and deploying climate finance to assist developing countries’-built resilience to climate shocks.

Speaking during the workshop in Nairobi, NEMA Board Chair Lady Dr. Lul Abdiwahd said NEMA accreditation of the two countries will open immense opportunities to unlock the necessary resources to address the climate emergency. She encouraged Mozambique and Botswana to seek strategic partnership both locally and internationally to scaling up climate action and support, including finance, capacity building, technology transfer in order to enhance adaptive capacity, strengthen resilience and reduce vulnerability to climate change taking into account the priorities and needs of developing countries. Dr. Lul who went on to highlight how NEMA accreditation of the two countries will open immense opportunities to unlock the necessary resources to address the climate emergency.

Nema Kenya Director General Mamo B Mamo said through the South South programme, NEMA supported Zimbabwe Environmental Management Agency (EMA) and Malawi Environment Endowment Trust (MEET) in the accreditation process.

He added that NEMA is implementing an Adaptation Fund funded programme in 14 Arid and Semi-Arid counties in Kenya with the aim to improve water resilient management systems, enhance food security, integrated shoreline and mangrove rehabilitation efforts, reduce the vulnerability of communities to climate change among others.

The week long workshop has participants from Botswana and Mozambique is aimed at supporting the accreditation process for Mozambique and Botswana to enable them access the adaptation finance from the Adaptation Fund.