Sessional Paper No. 05 of 2016 on National Climate Change Framework Policy

Abstract

Kenya’s economy is highly dependent on the natural resource base, and thus is highly vulnerable to climate variability and change. Rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns, resulting in increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as droughts and flooding, threaten the sustainability of the country’s development. In order to safeguard sustainable development, the Government of Kenya has developed this National Climate Change Framework Policy to provide a clear and concise articulation of overall response priorities to climate variability and change. Kenya has shown commitment to protect the climate system for the benefit of the present and future generations by supporting the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) process, ratifying the Kyoto Protocol in 2005, and contributing to continental and regional climate change initiatives. Further, the country’s Constitution has set out a legal commitment to attain ecologically sustainable development; hence providing a firm basis to address the challenge of climate change while striving to attain the development goals set out in Kenya Vision 2030. This Policy’s focus is on the interlinkages between sustainable national development and climate change. Climate change adversely impacts key sectors that are important to the economy and society: Environment, Water and Forestry; Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries; Trade; Extractive industries; Energy; Physical Infrastructure; Tourism; and Health. This Policy therefore elaborates intervention measures that can help to achieve the goal of low carbon climate resilient development.