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STOCKHOLM, 25th April 2023 – Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya has asked Swedish environmental research organization, Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), to offer Kenya the technical support needed for the successful co-hosting of the inaugural African Climate Summit with the Africa Union in Nairobi.
She said the Heads of State and Government conference that will be held from 4th to 6th September this year will deliver a “Nairobi Declaration” that wil, among other priorities, consolidate Africa’s common position ahead of this year’s COP 28 in the United Arab Emirates as well as provide the continent’s green growth blueprint.
“In February 2023, the African Union mandated our President His Excellency Dr William Ruto in his capacity as the current Chair of the African Union Committee of African Heads of State on Climate Change (CAHOSCC) to convene the inaugural Africa Climate Summit that will be hosted by Kenya in Nairobi from 4-6 September 2023.
“We will also host the Africa Climate Week at the same time. The Summit will discuss key outcomes from COP 27, define priorities for COP 28, and highlight opportunities for climate investment in Africa to steer the continent towards a climate resilient and socially just decarbonized future.
“The running theme of this upcoming summit is going to explore a more ecologically responsible industrialization, one that promotes multi-sectoral climate resilience in agriculture, food systems, water resources amongst others.
“I therefore look forward to a closer working relationship with SEI in supporting the preparations and hosting of the summit,” CS Tuya said in Stockholm during a meeting with SEI’s global leadership team led by the institute’s Executive Director Prof Prof Måns Nilsson.
At the same time, CS Tuya, who is visiting Sweden and Denmark, sought SEI’s support for her Ministry’s priority including ecosystems restoration, circular economy, and acceleration of Kenya’s climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts.
“I do recognize and appreciate the work that the Stockholm Environment Institute does across the world, especially your research and policy engagement in Kenya, which includes support to my Ministry on strategic planning and on air quality management, and work on building resilience in the Arid and Semi Arid Counties through the IMARA project funded by SIDA Kenya,” the CS said.
On the 15 billion trees campaign, CS Tuya said Kenya was determined to raise her tree cover from the current 12.2 percent to 30 by 2032 through the intervention noting that the country looked up to Sweden with her 68.7 percent forest cover as a case study.
“The President of Kenya, amplifying the aspirations of the United Nations Decade of Ecosystem Restoration has committed that Kenya will plant 15 billion trees by the year 2032. Achieving this target will bring Kenya’s tree cover to 30%, in 10 years up from the current 12.2%.
“I am sure, talking about 30% tree cover in 10 years, for you in Sweden who are at 68.7% forest cover at the moment might look small, but that is why we are here, and we need to achieve this while creating decent and sustainable employment opportunities for the youth,” she said.
On enhancing Kenya’s circular economy, the CS noted that the country generates over 8 million tonnes of waste annually, an average of 22,000 tonnes daily. She regretted that most of this waste ends up in the already overstretched landfills instead of being utilized as raw material in the production of energy and other outputs.
“This is attributed to our linear way of production and consumption patterns. We look forward to learning from you how we can develop a bio-based circular economy.”
The Cabinet Secretary, who is scheduled to deliver the key note address at the Copenhagen Loop Forum on Thursday, said her Ministry was in the process of developing a circular economy action plan for Kenya. The Loop Forum is Scandinavia’s largest exhibition of circular economy technologies.
“Our visit to Denmark will include participation at the Loop Forum and visits to some factories, industries and public and private institutions that are involved in circular economy.
“The lessons from these visits will inform the preparation of a Circular Economy Action Plan for Kenya in line with our Green Economy Strategy and Implementation Plan (2016-2030),” CS Tuya said, adding that her Ministry was jointly developing the National Green Fiscal Incentives Policy to attract investments into Kenya’s circular economy.
As part of efforts to accelerate climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts, CS Tuya said Kenya was revising its 2016 climate change law to among other reforms introduce progressive carbon markets provisions.
The Cabinet Secretary, who was joined at the meeting by Sweden’s Ambassador to Kenya Caroline Vicini, also spoke about Kenya’s efforts to make her horticultural exports competitive in the world by lowering their carbon footprints.
“Trade and environment are critical to our economy. Our leading export products are Tea and Coffee both of which are now threatened by climate change, and we are currently working on reducing the carbon foot prints for both our tea and coffee as we work on remaining competitive globally in these sector,” CS Tuya said.