The British High Commission invited the East African Wild Life Society (EAWLS) to exhibit at the launch of the Year of Climate Action (YoCA). The event was held on 3rd November, 2020 at Amani Grounds in Karura Forest.
In the run up to 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), UK and Kenya are jointly carrying out activities to inspire positive action and engagement on climate change across Kenya.
The UK co-hosted the public launch of the YoCA with the Government of Kenya (Ministry of Environment and Forestry). They jointly urged the private sector, civil society and the youth to undertake concerted efforts to combat climate change. Using the YoCa platform, both the UK and Kenya’s institutions will have an opportunity to develop a robust narrative on what a clean, resilient post COVID-19 recovery will look like in Kenya. The success of the recovery will be gauged through an analysis of implications in terms of investment required and jobs created in key sectors — clean energy, green affordable housing, decarbonised manufacturing and sustainable forestry.
The purpose of the Year of Climate Action is to set the narrative for the 12 months before CoP26 in Glasgow, UK, in November 2021, highlighting the importance of a clean and resilient recovery from COVID-19, creating lasting jobs, and a focus on long-term sustainability rather than just quick recovery regardless of cost to the environment. It will entail collaborating with relevant stakeholders to scale up actions that will raise awareness on climate change and showcase innovative solutions to address climate challenges.
Key Attendees were:
a) Senior UK and Kenya Government Officials (Principal Secretary, Ministry of Environment Dr. Chris Kiptoo and Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya Dr. Patrick Njoroge); Green Businesses; Youth Climate Leaders & Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).
b) Eight organisations showcasing their work (Globeleq, Azuri Technologies, Diageo, Acorn, Ceriops, Takataka Solutions, East African Wild Life Society (EAWLS) and Daraja – Kounkuey Design Initiative)
