KEPSA, represented by Ms Faith Ngige, participated in a workshop to disseminate findings of the report on Financing Nature-Based Solutions in Kenya that was held at a Nairobi hotel on 4^th April 2023.  The workshop aimed at disseminating the report Prosperous Land, Prosperous People: Scaling Finance for Nature-based Solutions in Kenya produced by the  Food and Land Use Coalition (FOLU) and originally released on 9^th November, 2022 at COP 27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. The report aims at promoting sustainable and nature-based solutions to address climate change and other environmental challenges.

Nature-based solutions are actions aimed at protecting, sustainably managing and restoration of natural or modified ecosystems that provide human well-being and biodiversity benefits. "The food and land use coalition in Kenya has prioritized 4 critical transitions; healthy diets, productive and regenerative agriculture, protecting and restoring nature, and food loss and waste to enable a sustainable food and land use system." Said Ms Eunice Oluoch, GAIN Kenya Ag Country Director whose sentiments were echoed by Mr Jeremiah Rogito from AGRA.

Mr Apollos Nwafor, Vice President for Policy and State Capability at AGRA expressed his excitement to host the workshop while noting that the forum will provide a platform for knowledge and experience sharing on nature-based solutions. He went on to say that beyond presenting the report, there was a need to develop clear action plans that speaks to the local people. "We believe that nature-based solutions are key to achieving sustainable development and addressing climate change, and we look forward to the insights and recommendations that will emerge from this event," He remarked.

"I applaud the FOLU global and Kenya secretariat and its members for coming up with this report. This report is timely as it comes at a time that Kenya is committed to scaling up its efforts in addressing climate change as demonstrated by the establishment and constitution of the National Climate Change Council." Said John Kioli, Chair of the Kenya Climate Change Working Group and member of the National Climate Change Council.

Ms Faith Ngige of KEPSA applauded the team for developing and attaching a business approach to nature-based solutions. The report highlights that the contribution of nature-based solutions to the gross domestic product (GDP) was 90 million USD translating to 1.1 % of the Kenyan GDP and 6% of the total climate finance in 2019. Private sector investment was 1%. Ms Ngige noted that it was important to address the demand side of nature-based solutions, to develop an integrated reporting mechanism to curb the limited data availability on private sector contribution and to develop a profile of the private sector good practices in order to amplify the role of the private sector in nature-based solutions.  “The private sector can contribute up to 30% of investments in nature-based solutions if enabling environment factors of governance, technical support, climate finance and social barriers are addressed.” She added.

Ms Natasha Mawdsley and Ms Talia Smith from the FOLU global secretariat in their presentation noted that the analysis presents a case study focused on Kenya, highlighting the considerable climate change mitigation potential of nature-based solutions, internationally and at a national level.  It presents a possible investment pathway for public and private financiers to unlock the benefits of nature-based solutions in Kenya, which would require USD 1.2 billion per year by 2050. There is no pathway to 1.5^o degrees without protection and restoration of nature.

The workshop brought together experts from various fields, including government officials, conservationists, scientists/researchers, donors and community leaders, to discuss innovative solutions to environmental challenges. Participants shared experiences, best practices and lessons learned stemming from the nature-based solutions report.

The Nature-based Solution report and workshop is part of a broader effort by the FOLU Coalition, the Kenyan government and its partners to promote sustainable development and environmental conservation for people, planet and nature.

The Workshop was organised by FOLU Coalition partners in Kenya (AGRA, GAIN Kenya and WRI Africa) in collaboration with the FOLU global secretariat.