Kenya today joined the rest of the World in celebrating World Environment Day that is held annually on 5 June to inspire environmental awareness and action across the globe.
The national celebrations were held at the Arboretum Grounds in Ol Kalou, Nyandarua County, under the theme “A Global Call for Climate Action,” and was presided over by the Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Dr. Deborah Barasa, EGH accompanied by PS Environment and Climate Change, Dr. Eng. Festus Ngeno, MIEK, CBS; NEMA leadership led by Chairman, Emilio Mugo, Director General, Dr. Mamo B. Mamo, EBS, Board Members alongside other senior officials from the County and national government.
The CS stated that World Environment Day presents an opportunity to create awareness on the need to protect the environment. She highlighted the government’s initiative to protect the Aberdare ecosystem, the conservation of Lake Ol Bolossat through sustainable agriculture, and landscape restoration. She underscored the need to ensure that environmental laws are effectively implemented, environmental standards are upheld, and climate action delivers real benefits for people and nature. On climate change, the CS said that the country has developed a carbon market platform to enable citizens benefit from carbon credits.
NEMA Chairman, Emilio Mugo indicated that Kenya just like the rest of the world is facing climate related challenges. He added that Kenya has positioned itself as an environmental leader in the African Continent through various initiatives such as Carbon marketing, 15 Billion tree planting campaign, Implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), Waste management among other sound environmental management programs. He added that the Board has setup accelerated actions on all environmental sectors in the country guided by EMCA, 1999.
“Under the visionary leadership of His Excellency the President and through the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, Kenya has positioned itself as a continental leader in climate resilience and green growth,” the Chair remarked.
Speaking at the event, NEMA Director General, Dr. Mamo B. Mamo, EBS stated that World Environment Day presents an opportunity to create awareness about environmental issues and elevate the environmental agenda locally and globally. He added that the day is aimed at encouraging
citizens to take positive action to enhance the quality of the environment.
The DG noted that climate change poses a triple planetary crisis of: climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste. Therefore, today’s theme, “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future,” encourages individuals and groups to foster a sense of agency for a sustainable future.
“We don’t have planet B, we have to come up with solutions for climate related challenges facing us to save our planet,” the DG remarked.
