KEPSA, UNEP Engages Stakeholders on Climate Action and Green Growth

Nairobi

Monday 31 July, 2023

by Rebeccah Maria

The Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) in collaboration with United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has held a high level CEOs Roundtable on the Private Sector Engagement and priorities for business climate action on resilience and green growth that will provide opportunities for business leaders to exchange ideas and views.

Speaking at the event, Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Cabinet Secretary (CS) Soipan Tuya said that the forthcoming Africa Climate Summit is more for the Private sector because of the potential and opportunities it will provide to them.

Tuya observed that Africa’s private sector is expected to provide 75 percent of the $3 trillion worth of investment opportunity that climate change presents by 2030 and the private sector has an important role to play in the Climate Change conversation.

The CS maintained that the sector is able to mobilize capital and resources to undertake investment and technological innovation that will underpin low carbon growth, provide finance for mitigation and adaptation, adopt lower carbon production processes, and encourage and facilitate more climate conscious purchasing decisions by consumers.

“The Africa Climate Summit will present a bold and ambitious new African vision for a Green Growth agenda that optimizes the continent’s abundant human and natural resources and integrates enhanced climate growth,” stated Tuya.

She added that it will be an opportunity to promote effective climate action that enhances livelihoods, accelerate growth and help Africa avoid being locked out of international markets and lock in emission intensive development, given that the world has come to the realization of the Climate Change and Development nexus.

The CS reiterated the need to maximize the private sector contribution to tackling climate change by creating clear and appropriate incentives.

“As a Country, we are already walking the talk, we have amended our Climate Change Act and provided a carbon Market regulatory framework that provides for a transparent space to invest in high quality Carbon Market Projects and this will help Kenya with its emission reduction commitments, as indicated in our Nationally Determined contributions with a view to helping us tackle Climate Change,” said Tuya.

At the same time, KEPSA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Carole Kariuki said that the round table exemplifies the stakeholders’ shared commitment to confront the pressing global issue of climate change and to resolve to chart a path towards driving green growth and climate change solutions for a sustainable future through Private Sector Engagement.

She explained that the objective of the round table is to provide an opportunity for Kenyan-based, private sector business leaders to exchange views and ideas on the nexus between trade, investment, and climate action.

“KEPSA has been instrumental in the development of climate change policy and regulatory instruments in Kenya and as a task force member, we have contributed to the development of the National Climate Change Strategy, (2010), the National Climate Change Action Plan I (2013-2017), Climate Change Act (2016), and the second National Climate Change Action Plan II,” Kariuki disclosed.

According to the CEO, KEPSA has developed, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry and the National Treasury and Economic under the GCF NAP Readiness Support, the Private Sector Strategy on Climate Change Solutions (2022 – 2030) that outlines private sector priorities for reducing emissions, enhancing resilience of business, capacity building of business and fostering public private partnership.

Kariuki expressed that the private sector is excited about the upcoming Inaugural Africa Climate Summit, co-hosted by Kenya and African Union and will seize the opportunity to showcase innovative solutions for climate change and green growth.

“25 percent of submissions to the Africa Climate Week for considerations for the project showcase and deal rooms were submitted by KEPSA members and they will support the Government of Kenya in co-hosting the Africa Climate Summit by leveraging on complementarity to unlock more green investment and climate action across sectors,” she added.

Meanwhile, UNEP Deputy Executive Director Elizabeth Mrema said that there are also many positive linkages between action to restore and protect biodiversity, build resilience against climate change, and reduce pollution.

It is therefore urgent, she continued, that policies and regulations, including business policies, strategies and practices, recognize the importance of supporting a green economy transition that links action on biodiversity, climate, and pollution.

“We cannot maintain and grow the prosperity of current and future generations without mitigating and adapting to the adverse impacts of climate change, investing in nature’s capacity to store carbon and sustaining the biodiversity and resilience of the ecosystems upon which our economies entirely depend and therefore, we must emphasize the importance of considering nature as part of the wider climate conversation,” Mrema cautioned. 

Concurrently, the United Nations Resident Coordinator for Kenya Dr. Stephen Jackson said that Climate change poses immense risks to the environment, societies, and economies and it demands immediate and collective action from all sectors of society.

He pointed out that businesses play a crucial role in driving the necessary transformation by leveraging their expertise, resources, and influence and therefore, have the power to lead the transition to a low-carbon sustainable future.

“As CEOs, you are not only leaders in your respective industries but also key influencers in shaping the future of our planet. The purpose of this round table is to foster collaboration, exchange ideas, and identify innovative strategies that can drive meaningful change towards a sustainable and resilient future,” stressed Jackson.

Jackson disclosed that Kenya is a signatory to international agreements like the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the country has pledged to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by 2030, subject to international support.

Kenya is actively engaged in global climate negotiations and advocates for the interests of African countries,” he maintained.

Courtesy ; K. N. A