KEPSA in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry developed the National Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+) Strategy and Safeguards Information System. Kenya reached an important milestone in December 2021 as a result. The Forest Reference Level was established earlier and is undergoing some improvements, as the National Forest Monitoring System is being finalised. The country is currently looking towards moving into broader REDD+ implementation.

KEPSA, represented by Ms. Faith Ngige, participated in the workshop to review the draft Nesting Guidelines and Article 6 REDD+ proposals on March 2, 2023, at the Fair View Hotel, Nairobi, organised by the State Department of Forestry in collaboration with Conservation International and Pollination. The workshop discussions focused on the requisite decision parameters and national infrastructure to best support the forestry sector's access to the carbon markets.

Speaking during the workshop’s opening session, Principal Secretary of the State Department of Forestry, Mr. Ephantus Kimotho, highlighted the REDD+ guidelines and methodology that will help the government unlock funding, especially for the 15 billion national tree-growing initiative. The Ministry has partnered with various stakeholders to explore benefit-sharing mechanisms in the carbon markets.  Currently, most of the carbon market initiatives in the country, though it places Kenya in a leading position in Africa, are sold on the voluntary market.

Article 6 of the Paris Agreement allows countries to authorise and internationally transfer mitigation outcomes for use towards a purchasing Party’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) achievement or other mitigation purposes.  REDD+ Nesting has been identified as a fundamental component that will actualise the implementation of a carbon credit system for forestry in Kenya. The nesting of site-scale REDD+ activities involve the integration of these activities into a formalised national REDD+ program to ensure jurisdiction-wide outcomes that allow for benefits to flow at all scales while maximising access to private and public sector finance. Nesting of site-scale REDD+ activities is of particular interest to Kenya because the country hosts several REDD+ projects that are currently generating credits and seeks to support the continuation of such activities.

The country is looking towards moving into broader REDD+ implementation. International cooperation under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement can help accelerate investments in mitigation measures and raise overall ambition. While some elements of the operational details remain under negotiation, countries have enough guidance to develop the national frameworks necessary to participate in Article 6, including the appropriate national legal, policy, and institutional architecture. The framework should provide for control and management of carbon trading projects, including nested and jurisdictional REDD+ activities, and ensure sustainable environmental development.

KEPSA emphasised the need to have clear parameters for analysing carbon credit projects, to ensure transparency, local ownership, rightful claims of carbon credits in view of the nationally determined contribution targets, and stakeholder and community engagement. 

The workshop was attended by diverse stakeholders from environmental groups, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Non-Governmental Organisations, the private sector, and project developers. The team will continue to refine the proposed guidelines and carbon credit authorisation framework proposals presented by participants during the meeting.