KEPSA, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations with support of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) through the National Treasury and Planning, is implementing the Readiness Support Project on “Enhancing Capacity for Planning and Effective Implementation of Climate Change Adaptation in Kenya.”  The project’s outcome on private sector is to strengthen and institutionalize private sector commitment, participation, investment, and innovative solutions for combating climate change in Kenya.

The KEPSA Environment, Water and Natural Resources Sector Board has been leading the private sector consultations towards the development of Private Sector Strategy on Climate Change (2022- 2030). The strategy will be the national guide for private sector to implement and invest in climate change solutions at both national and county government levels in line with the reviewed Kenya’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NCD). In addition, the strategy is positioned to be Kenya’s Private Sector Corporate Commitment to Climate Change Action.

It’s against this backdrop that a Validation Workshop on Private Sector Strategy on Climate Change Solution was held on 16^th February 2022. The discussions were moderated by Ms. Faith Ngige from KEPSA where different speakers from different companies and stakeholders participated.

KEPSA Environment, Water and Natural Resources Sector Board Vice-Chair, Dr. John Wandaka, welcomed the delegates and gave an overview about the strategy and role of the private sector. He noted that KEPSA has trained its members on strategies of mainstreaming climate change in business models for agriculture, built environment, forestry, waste management among other sectors through the Readiness Support Project. 

Dr. Wandaka pointed out that limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees requires far-reaching cross-sectorial transformations in the prioritised sectors of energy, buildings, industry, transport, forestry, water and blue economy land use, coastal zone management and agriculture. “Engaging the private sector therefore as a partner in implementing resilience measures and mitigation of emissions is essential for multiple reasons, which include innovation of solutions and technological advancements for adaptation and mitigation; mobilisation of financial resources and for enhancing technical capacity,” He noted.

Dr. Pacifica Ogola a representative from the Ministry of Environment highlighted the role that the private sector and the government play when it comes to the issues on climate change. She outlined the involvement of the Ministry in the climate change mitigation. She also thanked the private sector for enhancing the sustainability momentum and for making sure that their issues are actually covered in the government documents.

Dr. Ogola added that what was being implemented by the government was not only for domestic issues but also for the whole world. She acknowledged that Kenya could be one of the few countries that have private sector strategy that is aligned with what is happening globally. “The government is willing to collaborate and support in activities that will help when it comes to climate change and achieving the strategy,” She remarked.

Ms. Thecla Mutia from FAO talked about the role of FAO and its objectives when it comes to strategies used on climate change solutions. She added that FAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations climate change adaptation. FAO works hand in hand with the government and the private sector to assist in the project. She talked about the strategy used to make changes, especially in the private sector when it comes to climate change.

The workshop also had a plenary session where delegates got an opportunity to ask questions and give their comments on the strategy. The key speakers handled the concerns raised by delegates while promising to take into consideration all the feedback received in the forum.